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October 26 has been declared Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day in the province of Ontario, marking the 11th year school boards celebrate the valuable work of these individuals in our communities.
At York Catholic, many children benefit from the efforts of child care workers, and now, with Ontario’s new full-day learning program, many Early Childhood Educators (E.C.E.) are in the classroom full-time.
E.C.E.s are an integral part of our schools. They help support student achievement through their dedication, rapport with the children and overall love of teaching.
At Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School in Maple, E.C.E.s Lisa Berko and Michelina Callender knew it was the profession for them based on their love of teaching young children.
“Being raised in a small town, babysitting was what my Friday nights consisted of,” said Ms. Berko, who has been an E.C.E. for 20 years. “After choosing a daycare for my high school co-op placement, I knew then that I would turn my love for children into a lifelong career.”
Ms. Callender also knew becoming an E.C.E. was right for her in college.
“I originally thought I’d get into travel and tourism, however after visiting a college counsellor and taking a personality test, I realized that the E.C.E. field was the right choice for me,” she said. Ms. Callendar has been an E.C.E. for 10 years and currently works in a JK classroom.
Working as an ECE helps to shape children’s impressions of school and the different ways they can learn.
“As part of my profession, I help these children to feel a sense of security and to explore at their own pace,” said Ms. Berko. “As we all know, children learn differently and as E.C.E. teachers, it is part of our job to carry the curriculum through to play-based activities, therefore giving children every opportunity to excel and succeed at their own pace.”
E.C.E.s can also provide a sense of comfort for parents, many of whom are sending their children to school for the first time.
“E.C.E.s are very valuable in the full-time JK/SK classrooms because we provide a sense of comfort, ease and leadership for the children, parents and teacher,” said Ms. Callender. “Parents are less nervous about sending their children to school for the first time because they know that their child always has an extra set of eyes on them.”
Working with children is often regarded as highly-rewarding, and Ms. Berko and Ms. Callender both agree that it’s true.
“Being an E.C.E. is like living in a sky full of stars – rewards are all around you!” said Ms. Berko. “From a child who comes into my care who will not talk or make eye contact, to talking and smiling one month later - that is the most awesome reward.”
“Children teach us so many wonderful things about the simplicity of life and allow us the opportunity to observe it from an entirely different perspective,” said Ms. Callender.
Being in a classroom with young children can certainly provide some humourous, touching and memorable moments.
“Sometimes students tell me stories about their home life and often they are quite funny!” said Ms. Callender. “It is also quite humourous to see what games the children invent during playtime!”
The positive impact of E.C.E.s on students is clear, and their impact is far-reaching for many students.
“I met one student when she was an infant and worked with her until the age of 2½,” said Ms. Berko. “She is now in university and still remembers me as her favorite teacher. It is amazing that the impact I had on her as a child carried through so many years later.”
In honour of the 11th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day on October 26, York Catholic recognizes and thanks our E.C.E.s for all they do to enhance student learning around our board.