Date: July 10, 2024
Working with young children is something that has always come naturally to me. It is my passion, my calling, a true gift. Every day I am given the opportunity to positively impact a child’s life. There is nothing better than that. For me, being an early childcare educator is a rewarding and fulfilling profession, however, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. By recognizing and addressing the common challenges faced in this profession, we as educators can cultivate a positive and supportive environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive. These common challenges are no match for committed educators that are dedicated to making a lasting impact on children’s lives! I am proud that we have such a committed and dedicated staff of teachers at the Butterfly House. They are committed to excellence in the classroom and the care, nurture and well-being of every child.
Our environment is seen as a key component to our program. Environment is defined as the ”third-teacher”. Classroom areas are welcoming, authentic and aesthetically pleasing displaying process-based artwork and documentation. Materials are thoughtfully incorporated to encourage problem-solving, creativity, experimentation, exploration and open-ended play. The environment promotes flexibility for each child to openly explore their interests while learning from their experiences.
We have had a challenging year this past academic year at the Butterfly House. The national teacher shortage created some pain points in our system. We have learned that change is the only constant and it often requires us to go above and beyond for a season. I am grateful for the hard-working dedicated teachers that we have at the Butterfly House and for the continued support and leadership of the Seminary’s senior management, Dean Markham and SVP Jacqui Ballou.
I am looking forward to a new school year full of positive energy, new ideas, learning, community, success, greatness, and so much more! Thank you to everyone who supports us daily at the Butterfly House, it takes a village.
Juanita Sanchez
Director of the Butterfly House