Ms. Dana's Sunny Days Pre-K - Introduction to Advanced Learning

 Hello, My name is Dana.

         The classes that I teach are very eclectic because I have many interests. I do not like to put myself in a box or my students. I feel it is good to try many things in our lives in order to find the things that we are passionate about. I will teach anything from interactive classes that help improve the student's emotional intelligence and communication skills to anything Biology, such as experiments that will help the student discover new things in nature. I will also teach some fitness classes that will seem less like work and more like fun. There will be times I  teach classes that will utilize puppets as well. Hypnosis is not out of the question. 
       I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Education from the University of West Georgia.I have an Ed.S program in process. I have over 20 years of experience working with students in different capacities from teaching to testing at the elementary school level to the University level. I have also had the pleasure of working with some special needs students, one of which was my precious son. I have been teaching ESL online since August of 2018. I helped co-create a program for students in an alternative school setting that were in a   "last chance"  situation.  Our program focused not just on academics but also on the emotional intelligence of the students and how that was affecting the success of the student. We looked at each student as individual learners and realized that you could not expect each student to " learn" in exactly the same way.  The program helped 98% of the students to graduate from the program and move on to become fruitful in their lives. The program continues to this day.  We are very pleased that it has made a difference. 
 My background also includes working as a counselor with individuals and families in a therapeutic setting. I also worked with patients in a hospital setting. I have a certificate in alternative medicine.I have been trained in hypnotherapy , meditation and guided-meditation at the graduate school level  and implemented often in my therapeutic practice with clients. I am also trained in other therapeutic modalities. I have lifetime certifications in teaching a kicking boxing program and a program that is a fusion of pilates and yoga. I  remain a fitness coach to a few select clients.  I have worked with special needs children.
     My values as a teacher are that I want students to feel empowered and confident. I  love to see students blossom and become strong independent thinkers while still just being true to who they are as individuals. Children are unique and often learn differently. I feel once you take the stress away, children often thrive. Learning should be FUN and interesting, not anxiety-filled but should also include some degree of structure. I love children and care deeply about them. I want this to translate into my teaching. Children should have a voice in the classroom and be able to express their ideas respectfully. Children should also be open to new ideas and learn to digest those ideas in an age-appropriate manner and in a way that makes sense to them. Knowledge is often born out of creativity.
    I am a wife and mother of a daughter and our late son. Our lovely daughter has recently graduated from high school and is college-bound. I am very proud of her. She has great heart and strength in light of what she has experienced. She carries her brother with her in spirit. We lost our precious son over 2 and a half years ago tragically. He was physically handicapped and had medical needs/special needs. I learned far more from him than any teacher I have ever had. One of the greatest gifts he gave me was the art of communication without words that reached far deeper in expression than I can convey. It made me explore the science of " Body Language"  which says far more than our words ever do.  Love never ends. As a mother, that is all I can say right now.

 Some fun facts about me are:  I use to run an advice column. Not that long ago I had a radio show but I took a hiatus.  I can have a lot of energy at times and I might just break out in dance in the middle of the living room for no apparent reason to my daughter's head shake and then grin.  I like to really engage the children in my classes with energy. I can be goofy and a big kid. Children, plants,  and animals bring me the most joy. I am pretty good with puppets. I have been white water rafting quite a few times. I love to dance, swim and I love dolphins. I love the ocean although rarely get to see it. I am pretty easy-going and patient overall. 

   I really hope to see your child in my class.  Let's have fun & learn together! Kind regards, Teacher Dana