I truly hit the jackpot in hiring Suzi Ronan to teach preschool at KSELC. Suzi is knowledgeable and experienced, and more importantly, our philosophies are simpatico. Both her gentle manner and her honest way of talking with the children set the tone for a calm and joyful learning environment. She brings out the best in them, and in me.
Some years ago, my husband and I were involved with a chapter of the exceptional Habitat for Humanity organization, and became familiar with their motto, “Create a crisis.” It’s sort of like “If you build it, they will come.” Later, in 2009, as a newly credentialed teacher, I had ideas about education. I absolutely love teaching, and deep in my heart, I knew education could be, indeed should be, a joyful experience. Several years later, I “created a crisis” and things fell into place. A space became available; needed items would just sort of appear; people offered all kinds of help, from painting to cleaning, to making curtains and renovating the playground. It seemed it was meant to be.
And now, a full eighteen months later, I am reflecting on the process of putting it all together. It has been an experience in patience, fortitude, and stamina, littered with obstacles and sprinkled with blessings. The “crisis” was created. I “built it.” And, lucky me, Suzi Ronan came. And every day, as we facilitate and observe and guide, blessings continue to mount in our little corner of the world where we believe that child’s play is serious business.