Phyllis
Phyllis
A pre-K teacher in Oakland Gardens, Queens, Phyllis began her teaching career in 1996. In 2014, she received a Big Apple Award, which celebrates outstanding public school teachers in New York City. As an active delegate of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Phyllis supports her school community by facilitating dialogue between faculty and school leadership.
Pre-K Levels the Playing Field
The value of early childhood education cannot be overstated—it’s the first step to a long life of learning. The students come in with different levels of experience, but once they’re in the classroom, everyone is starting their education the same way. At the beginning of the year, school is totally foreign to them. Activities last three minutes and then we’re on to something else. By the end of the year students are confident and eager to share. I love seeing everyone’s hand up.
It’s An Exciting Time to Teach Pre-K
I’ve been an early childhood educator teaching pre-K and kindergarten in New York City Public Schools for nearly two decades, and when the chance to teach full day pre-K opened up in my school in 2009, I jumped. It’s an exciting time. The Chancellor has a wonderful vision for the children. You have meaningful professional development with other pre-K teachers. And you have the city behind you saying, “We need you to do your best and we’re going to help you and give the children the resources they need.”
NYC is a City of Possible Field Trips
Whatever you’re teaching, you can go somewhere and bring the experience to life. When we were learning about insects, we went to the butterfly pavilion at the Bronx Zoo. It was wonderful! How often do you get to walk through an enclosure and see butterflies all around you? When we were learning about pets, we went to Petco. Do you know how many students have never been to a pet store? They got to touch a turtle, see huge aquariums of fish, and meet a chinchilla and a bearded dragon. You just have to know what’s around the corner and make it happen.