We would like to welcome you and your child to our Early Childhood Special Education program at North Star Early Childhood Center.  We are very excited to begin the school year and feel confident that your child will benefit greatly from our program.  We look forward to working with you and your family to help make this year a very positive and successful preschool experience for your child.  Below is some basic information to better help you understand our preschool program.  What is the Preschool curriculum?  We modify Second Step curriculum for Social Emotional; Writing without Tears and Writing without Tears Get Set for School for academics.   We use best practices and developmentally appropriate play and teaching for each child.

Our preschool program is based on a child development curriculum.  The guiding principles for such an approach are the following:

*Children learn best through active involvement with people, materials, events, and ideas.

*Consistent adult support and respect for children's choices, thoughts and actions strengthen a child's self-esteem, feelings of responsibility, self-control, and knowledge.

*All children learn best when immersed in a positive, consistent and predictable routine.

*All children greatly benefit from a language-enriched environment. 

Paige and I have been working together six years this year.  We both love what we do and love the children.  She is my right hand person and runs the room when I am out.  I  have been teaching for 21 years in the field of special education.  I have been in this program for 17 years.  

I have been married to Larry for 31 years.  We have 3 children: Ryan, a junior at VCU, Jessica, a freshman at NOVA, and Ashley a junior at NSHS.  Ashley is very involved in volleyball year round, both varsity and travel.  All three of my children have received special education services, so I do really understand how difficult it can be for a family.