GAC Early Childhood Village

EARLY CHILDHOOD VILLAGE K3-K6

Jamie Dalton, Communications & Project Assistant

What was your inspiration to become a teacher?

When I was very little, it was a toss-up between being a teacher or cheerleader. But both of my parents were teachers, and I always wanted to be like them. My father taught history in high school, and my mother was a preschool teacher. I received my degree from Harding University in Elementary Education and look forward to starting a graduate program this coming summer.

How long have you been at GAC? I’ve been a GAC parent for 13 years, and this is my second year being the K3 teacher at GAC. My husband, John, and I both grew up in Christian schools and received great educations, instruction, love and guidance from our teachers. We wanted the same experience for our three kids.

Having children of your own at GAC in various grade levels (11th, 9th and K5), how would you describe the K3 experience to other families who might be looking at schools?

K3 is the starting point, the first foot in the door. If we can make a family’s experience a grand one this first year, then they will want to be with us for life!

Alicia Wood, K3 Teacher

How do you feel you make a difference in the lives of these first-year families?

I tell parents on Back to School Night, “We are a family.” Sometimes moms can feel guilty about leaving their 3-year-old – or for working at all. I tell them it’s going to be ok and that their child is loved here. We teach these little ones to make wise choices, to thank God for everything, and to be a light for Jesus. My favorite song to sing with them is This Little Light of Mine.

Does the K3 class integrate technology in their curriculum?

You should see their faces light up with excitement as we read a story or play games on iPads using letters, colors and numbers. It’s

rewarding to watch them light up with a sense of accomplishment.

We send parents videos of their children, and they appreciate it so much. Emails come to us with words of appreciation that their children are engaged, happy, challenged and ready to come back the next day.

Any interesting facts about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I went cross country in a RV with 8 other people to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

What is currently your favorite thing on your iTunes playlist?

The Beatles “1” album. ■

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Tell us about your family.

I have always wanted to be a teacher – my early teachers made strong impressions on me. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t “teaching school” to my sister at home. I had an entire classroom set up in my basement, complete with a chalkboard and a teacher’s desk! I love children, love learning, and love helping others learn. Being a teacher was an easy decision for me. I received degrees in education from Vanderbilt University (BS) and Georgia State (Master’s) and look forward to seeing my students each day.

I’ve been married to Philip for almost 14 years. Our two kids Jack (7th) and Camille (5th) are students at GAC. We also have a dog, Chloe, who is 7 years old.

How long have you been at GAC? I was a student at GAC from 6th-12th grade. I even played on the tennis team! I’ve worked at GAC for 5 years – first as a Teaching Assistant and now as a 4th grade teacher. I love that my own kids now enjoy GAC. They are involved in ballet, band, piano and football.

What changes have you seen take place since you were a student here?

There are many differences in GAC from when I was a student.

The facilities have multiplied. We didn’t have a football team. The number of students has greatly increased, and the technology is amazing. One thing has remained consistent over the years – it’s perhaps the most important reason why we send our children here – GAC was and still is founded on strong Christian principles.

photographed by Frank Zayas

Any interesting facts about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I was on the TV show Romper Room when I was 6 years old.

I’ve played on the same ALTA tennis team for almost 20 years.

Secretly, I would love to be the next Food Network Star.

What is currently on your iTunes playlist?

I just downloaded Matt Redman’s 10,000 Reasons and have it as my ringtone. One of my favorite songs that I’m listening to right now is I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz. ■

Lauren Hollier, 4th GradeTeacher

“Extra” Curricular Music Jill Morris, Director of Admissions & Community Relations

While music curriculum and programs are being phased out in many schools as a result of budget decisions, young GAC students are mastering foundational music concepts that also enhance overall learning. Dr. Robin Hensley teaches her young students much more than how to sing. In a given week, a variety of sounds can be heard coming from her two music rooms.

Young voices, dancing, instruments, stories, live and recorded music performances, rhythm and pitch games, and listening skills create lively energetic classes for every age group. Boomwhackers are used to teach rhythm to the youngest students; Soprano glockenspiels (small xylophones) and hand bells teach pitch to elementary children; Kodaly Solfege syllables (note values are assigned specific syllables expressing their durations) are used for intervals, scales, and major/minor vocal patterns; older elementary students incorporate Orff instruments, recorders and keyboards into their musical repertoire. These foreign-sounding devices are everyday language to GAC K3-5th students. Believing that every child is musical, Dr. Hensley builds the curriculum through a holistic approach, “A child’s mind, body and spirit are fueled by every aspect of creating music. Self–control learned in playing a drum or synchronizing in dance will serve future athletes, scientists, nurses and accountants alike.”

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ccording to Dr. Hensley, “Our worldwide society continues to discover that musical training impacts success in every academic discipline. It’s not just ‘EXTRA’ curricular, but it’s vital to a child’s educational experience at GAC. Memorization, sequencing, patterning, language development, counting, small and large motor skills, and teamwork are strengthened through music making.” Her kinetic energy can hold the attention of 5th grade boys and her music theory methods connect with 4-year-olds. Through exciting activities like celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach’s 327th birthday and learning music trivia, students begin to grasp why music is important in their lives.

“God says sing and rejoice his name…Music is a hobby, career, pastime and a teacher. Music can be serious, fun, and inspiring. Some music makes you dance. Some music makes you smile. Music means togetherness and happiness. Music can be historic or futuristic.

Music can be romantic or disgraceful. Music can make you cry or think of the people who have moved on. I am almost positive music is even more powerful up in heaven. I bet God is proud of us for writing so many beautiful songs about his love.” – Ashlyn Nutt, 5th grade When Dr. Hensley isn’t in her classroom, she can be found either teaching one of her 23 piano students through the GAC School of photographed by Glenn Martin, Jennifer Clark and Greg Morris

Music or leading practice for Promises, the 4th and 5th grade select vocal group that has grown from 18 to 40 students this past year. School of Music Director, Jeanne Giager, says that performing is so important for children, “Performing teaches self-discipline and grows confidence.” Grade-level performances for students in Early Childhood and Elementary and occasions such as Grandparents’ Day, showcase musical skills learned during the year. Parents and family friends have enjoyed productions such as the 3rd grade “Wild Things – A Big Zoo Review”, 2nd grade “The Granny Awards”, and the K5 “Stone Soup”, all of which serve as teaching tools for the entire student body.

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olding a Masters degree and a Doctorate in Organ Performance, and being a licensed Musikgarten teacher, Dr. Hensley offered classes for children and parents through Emory University and later through her own program at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Her training shapes her direction for her music classes at GAC. Music matters to Dr. Hensley and to those she teaches. Music at GAC is only “Extra” in that it’s an extra special experience for our Early Childhood Village and Elementary students. ■

“I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding.” I Corinthians 14:15

GAC’s Promises Chorus, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students, recently traveled to Huntsville, Alabama to perform at another Christian school, Madison Academy, and at Mayfair Towers, an assisted living facility.

Perhaps the most lasting skills gained by students involved with Promises are not measured in terms of music mastery.

The shared teamwork, leadership, responsibility, commitment to a group, discipline, hard work, self-esteem, poise, confidence, special friendships, and service to others will be remembered and treasured long after melodies and lyrics are forgotten.

Auditions for Promises (rising 4th – 5th graders) will be held in late August. Watch for more information in the Elementary Announcements or contact Dr. Robin Hensley at rhensley@greateratlantachristian.org. photographed by Name Here