Stevens ELC Feature: Ms. Billie Case, PK4 Teacher

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What is your role at Stevens for the SY20-21? How long have you been teaching? This will be my fourth year teaching Pre-K in DC. Prior to joining Stevens ELC to teach Pre-K 4, I taught in mixed-age Pre-K classrooms in local charter schools. I am excited to join the Stevens team and begin a new adventure.

What do you love most about the early childhood education (ECE) age group? Young children consistently inspire me with their ability to flourish when provided with the tools, strategies and opportunities they deserve. When offered respect, time and support, our youngest learners build caring, adaptive, and creative classroom communities together. I also feel that working with young children brings out the best in me. They inspire me to be curious, patient, welcoming and forgiving.  I feel lucky to be part of a profession that cultivates joy, creativity and friendship between students, families and educators.

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? I believe in the power of high-quality ECE experiences and the importance of reflective and responsive practice. I believe my primary responsibility as an educator is to design a responsive education experience that introduces school as a place of joy, growth, questioning and support for both students and families. I believe children thrive best when we hold high expectations for both them and ourselves, but always remember that everyone requires time and love to grow.

How can we make virtual learning successful? Be responsive and adaptive while also anticipating needs. As teachers, we need to think through the details from the perspective of our students and their families at all times. We then also need to work individually with families to tailor the experience to their family’s unique needs

What are some of your favorite children’s books? Gazpacho for Nacho by Tracey C. Kyle and Little Cloud by Eric Carle

What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite childhood book was Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Fun fact about myself: I have 9 nieces and nephews!

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Erika Blackburn

We are so excited for Stevens Early Learning Center’s new school year! As part of this school’s modernization and reopening, we will be featuring different staff members here on our blog. Please meet one of Stevens’ teachers, Erika Blackburn!

How long have you been teaching?  This year, I will begin my third year teaching Prek4. My first two years were at Excel Academy, DCPS’s first and only all-girls school. Teaching represents a late career pivot for me. (Edit: Ms. Blackburn’s class will be a mixed-aged classroom for SY20-21.)

What do you love most about the ECE age group? I love teaching four year olds because I enjoy their natural curiosities and joyful energy. I got my PhD in developmental psychology from Cornell University where I studied development at the intersection of social and cognitive development. Teaching prek is an opportunity for me to apply what I’ve learned over the years from a research and evaluation perspective to everyday interactions in support of learning in a prek classroom.

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? My teaching philosophy is under development, but facilitating authentic learning experiences seems to be emerging as central to my thinking and practice.

What are some of your favorite children’s books?  It’s hard to choose my absolute favorite children’s books, but I can say that I revel in the laughs I get when I read Mo Willems’ Piggie and Gerald books; I am fascinated by what children learn about the natural world when I read Dianna Aston’s series about sleepy seeds quiet eggs, and patient butterflies; and I am moved by the thoughtful questions I get when little ones study the righteous and moving illustrations in Kadir Nelson’s books.

What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite children’s book was The best-loved doll. I really appreciated how this sort of worn down doll who couldn’t really “do” anything fancy could have been the most loved doll in a collection.

Any fun facts about yourself? Fun and little known fact – I was scheduled to attend adult mermaid camp this summer in Florida, but it was cancelled due to covid-19. 😦