- What is your role at Stevens for the SY20-21? How long have you been teaching? My role at Stevens is a lead PreK 3 classroom teacher. This is my first year as a lead teacher and I am beyond thrilled! I have been with DCPS for the last two years as a paraprofessional. Previously, I was a substitute teacher at a DC Public Charter school. I have been in education for a total of 7 years and it has truly been an amazing experience!
- What do you love most about the ECE age group? What I love most is their curiosity. I love that they are always so eager to ask questions and to seek understanding. For them, they leave no stone unturned! I also love how adventurous and bold they are. They cannot wait to see what’s next and how they can be a part of it, and they have no problem letting you know.
- Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? I believe that teaching and learning goes hand in hand. Teachers can learn so much from their students, which is why it’s so important that student’s voices are heard. Students should be given every opportunity to thrive in a warm, safe, fun, and engaging environment. I strive to inspire and to be inspired by my students and all they bring to the table. My goal is to show students that they are unique individuals whose learning is a top priority. I want them to know that they are important and a very valuable part of our classroom.
- How can we make virtual learning successful? We can make virtual learning successful though teamwork. Teachers, parents, family, community members, and so many more! When we are all working together to support and encourage student learning and achievement, students will be pointed toward success. It takes a team, and we are all in this together!
- Some of my favorite children’s book series include Pete the Cat, If I Give a Mouse a Cookie, and The Pigeon Book Series. My favorite childhood book was The Principal’s New Clothes by Stephanie Calmenson.
- A fun fact about me is that I LOVE to sing, but I am always shy when asked to sing on the spot.
PK3
Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Lillian Farnham (PK3)
Now for our first PK3 Stevens teacher feature, Lillian Farnham! We are so excited for you to meet her soon!
How long have you been teaching? I am entering the 10th year of my teaching career. All of my formal teaching experience has been with DC Public Schools, I previously taught at Tyler Elementary School in Southeast, DC.
What do you love most about the ECE age group? What I love most about teaching early learners is the children’s genuine curiosity about the world around them and watching their development over time. It is incredible to witness the pace at which our three and four year olds are able to acquire new skills and knowledge.
Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? “I did not come to teach you. I came to love you. Love will teach you.” -Unknown. This quote very simply sums up my teaching philosophy. For many years I focused on lesson plans, data, scores, progress reports, growth, rigor because that is what is important outside of the classroom. What politicians, policy makers and administrators do not realize is that teaching has almost nothing to do with any of that. Teaching is love. It is recognizing that each child, no matter how small has a voice and place in the world. Teaching is about making children feel unconditionally welcome in their environment and allowing them to be their true selves. When children feel loved and supported they laugh, they make friends, they take risks, they grow. And when you truly love the work that you do as a teacher, the amount of growth that can be made within a single child is limitless.
How can we make virtual learning successful? We can make virtual learning successful by engaging as partners with families and children. The key to tackling the challenge of virtual learning is going to be clear and concise communication as well as helping parents and guardians feel empowered to help build skills at home.
What are some of your favorite children’s books? Some of my favorite children’s books are: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I Am Enough, Giraffes Can’t Dance, Dragons Love Tacos, Abiyoyo, Friendshape, All Are Welcome.
What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite childhood book was Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
If you could have any super power what would it be and why? If I could have any super power, I would want to be able to teleport to anywhere in the world. I love to travel to new places and I do not live close to any family, so I would use my powers to see the world and see my family all the time.
DCPS School Planning 