As the year begins, we find ourselves in a state of self-reflection. We smile as we look back on all the growth our children have experienced this past year. At Celebree, we know that our school is not just built with bricks, but on heartfelt love. As we start this new year, we celebrate our incredible teachers, the true architects, who are shaping our children’s future.
At Celebree, we rely deeply on the personal investment of the staff. Many of our teachers are mothers themselves, often with their own children attending the school. This brings empathy to the classroom that is difficult to inculcate. When little Sam in toddler A falls and bruises his knee or is upset because mom has left, Ms. Esra is able to relate because her son, a two-year-old, has been in the same situation. Ms. Esra is not only able to empathize with Sam but also with mom, who is assured that Sam is in good hands. This allows parents to completely exhale in peace, knowing that their children are thriving in our care.
This culture of excellence is cultivated through our Celebree system and is passed easily from senior teachers to new teachers. We are incredibly fortunate to have teachers such as Ms. Mimi and Ms. Nahid, who serve as mentors. In an industry with young and eager teachers, having experts that coach new staff is invaluable. Where a new teacher might see chaos in a room of energetic toddlers, Ms. Mimi and Ms. Nahid see an opportunity for guided play. This mentorship ensures consistent high-level care, transforming the classroom from a place of mere supervision into a learning environment where every teacher is supported to be their best.
Working with infants and toddlers requires a specialized kind of patience and understanding of early development. Ms. Yanni is a champion in nurturing souls during this delicate stage. In a home setting, it is often simpler for a caregiver to do things for the child like putting on their shoes, feeding them, or cleaning up their toys just to save time. Therefore, Ms. Yanni ensures the children are independent, confident, and realize, “I can do it myself.” She creates a safe and loving environment where children are encouraged to take those first brave steps. Moreover, Ms. Yanni celebrates every victory, no matter how small it is, which encourages the children. Learning this helps them to understand that the world is a safe place to explore.
As children grow and prepare for the transition to kindergarten, the guidance of teachers like Ms. Farah becomes the bridge to elementary school and beyond. Ms. Farah understands that true indicators of success are social and emotional skills. She focuses on helping children build confidence, empathy and self-control. In observing Ms. Farah’s classroom, a parent has said Ms. Farah creates scenarios where children can negotiate and share their feelings. The parent added, “When students struggled with an activity, they don’t hesitate to ask Ms. Farah for help. She takes time to work through the problem with the kids in an engaging manner.” This is an example of how Ms. Farah ensures that as the children enter kindergarten, they don’t merely survive but flourish with emotional resilience to handle challenges.
Behind the routine of teaching is a leadership team that stands shoulder to shoulder with our teachers. Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Jenni are actively involved in the daily rhythm and operations of the school, mentoring and coaching teachers through regular classroom observations and constructive feedback. Teachers are not left to sink or swim on their own. Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Jenni ensure that professional development is ongoing. They promote support for the teachers so that the teachers can support the children, ensuring that the Celebree promise to Protect, Educate, and Nurture our children is kept in every interaction.
As we look back, we realize that the greatest gift we have given our children is the time spent in the company of these wonderful teachers! Only a few are mentioned here but Celebree Reston is blessed to have many wonderful teachers and we are excited for this new year!
