I have been part of the St. Thomas community for over 10 years as a parent and I am now enjoying being an aid in the 3 year old preschool classroom for the second year. Before having children, I taught 1st – 4th grades, in both a public and a catholic school. After my oldest was born, I volunteered as a religious education teacher in 3 different parishes, including St. Thomas, teaching preschool – 5th grade. My husband and I have four children of our own and have been fostering my niece for the past 3 years. Our oldest graduated from St. Thomas and is now a junior at Marian Central Catholic High School. Our other four are currently enrolled in St. Thomas School in grades K, 3, 5, and 7. I am really enjoying being back in the classroom and sharing my faith with the children in the preschool. It is a blessing to be able to watch and help them grow spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and academically.
So many things happen during the year in the 3 year old preschool classroom from learning many social skills, like sharing and working together, to learning letters and letter sounds, and growing closer to Jesus through prayer, stories and songs, in addition to many other things. The children have the opportunity to express themselves through art, play, and song, including fine and gross motor skills. The children really learn to be more independent in all they do while at preschool. God is brought into our classroom in almost all we do in the 3 year old preschool classroom. We are always trying to do what Jesus would do in how we treat our selves and each other as well as in making good choices. The children learn about God and Jesus through regular lessons, bible stories, as well as celebrating our Catholic traditions.