06 Feb Care for the caregivers: how growing minds supports educators
Mariel Lewis, ReadyKids Lead Infant Toddler Specialist, is a trusted resource for early childhood educators across the Blue Ridge. As part of the Growing Minds program, Mariel observes classrooms, consults with teachers, and provides individualized support to enhance the quality of infant and toddler care. The Growing Minds program serves 21 counties, from Buckingham to Warrenton, so she covers a lot of ground!
For the past year, Mariel has been working with Golden Path Academy, a center providing early care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Winchester, Virginia. Taylor Cameron, the Director of Family Engagement and Student Success at Golden Path Academy, has seen the impact of Mariel’s partnership firsthand:
“Having an outside perspective is helpful because she may be looking at things a little differently than we are, and can broaden our horizons in terms of opportunities and resources teachers can access.”
Teachers and providers are under a lot of pressure to provide high quality care in fast-paced environments, often with limited resources. These positions historically have a high rate of burnout, low pay, and lack of professional development opportunities. According to National Education Association Today, professional development and additional support for teachers helps alleviate stress, build confidence, and keep skilled providers in the education field longer. Offering resources that can help their teachers succeed is a top priority for Taylor Cameron. She says, “Anything we can do to make our teachers more successful, we’re going to do.”
The first five years of a child’s life are essential for their development. During this time, the brain is growing rapidly, with new neural connections being made every second. Experiences during these formative years lay the foundation for how children learn, build relationships, and navigate the world around them.
“We’re taking care of people’s most prized possessions. Not only are we taking care of them, we’re teaching them,” says Taylor.
With the support of coaches like Mariel, teachers are better equipped to meet challenges and ensure their students are set up for success. Learn more about Growing Minds here