Meet Our Childtime Staff – Ms. Tiffany, Lead Preschool Teacher

Meet Ms. Tiffany, Lead Preschool Teacher at our Childtime location in Mansfield, OH. She studied child development in school, is a certified nanny and is currently attending the University of Cincinnati to obtain her associate’s degree. Read our Q&A with Ms. Tiffany to learn more about her!

Tell us some more about your background and why you chose a career in early education.

After high school I went to English Nanny and Governess school and became a certified nanny. I’m actually graduating with my associate’s degree in pre-kindergarten in May of 2018. I just always loved children, loved the job, loved to teach and to get them ready for kindergarten. It’s just always been my passion, to teach and be a bright light in children’s lives. I just love them.

Why is this career rewarding to you?

When you come in and a parent is like “oh my gosh, my son can spell his whole name,” it’s just rewarding that they notice the good things that you’re trying to do with their children. This is when they’re like sponges; they just soak up everything good and bad. So you want to be that good part in their lives, because they’re here eight hours a day and I like to instill in them independence, morals, manners and also academics. That’s just how my class is run. You want them to be brilliant when they continue through their lives.

What does your typical day look like?

I come in about 8:30 and we do breakfast.  At 9:00 we go to circle time. My circle time involves a lot of music. I’m actually in a recording group so I can sing. The singing brings joy to them and when you’re singing, they think they’re just singing, but they’re actually learning as they sing. It’s really a lot of teaching. You just want to bring fun to it in a light atmosphere. After circle time, we break off into centers. Normally, I have my sand table, different stations like Play-Doh, gross motor. After that they go to eat lunch, we go outside, weather permitting. We have a nap, they get up, we have another small circle time, and then we go outside.

Do you have a favorite accomplishment since you’ve been at Childtime?

Becoming a lead teacher in a short amount of time and showing what I’m capable of doing. I do have a strong personality with teaching, so they see that I want the children to learn.

How do you maintain strong communication with families?

I focus on what they need. When I have to have a meeting, I say, “What are you expecting from me? And how can you help me help us?” I’m purposeful in my greeting with them because I want them to like me. I’m very purposeful in what I do. I don’t just say, “Hi, how are you doing?” I go over and do a full check and talk to the parent.

What are some hobbies you have for when you’re not at work?

I’m in a recording group so we travel a lot. We’re in the process of making a gospel CD. We’re going to start in the studio in April. I also work with teenagers at my church. I love volleyball, love bowling. I’m an outgoing person but also a homebody.

Why do you feel early childhood programs like ours at Childtime are so critical for young kids?

In my own opinion, I know where I was at that age. I know that I failed the first grade. That means my preschool and my kindergarten teachers weren’t up to par and they weren’t purposeful in their teaching. I didn’t have teachers that instilled in me that it’s good to have fun, be we have to have the balance of learning. That’s why I’m so purposeful in my teaching.