Thank you and Early Education Update

I would like to thank the pre-kindergarten teachers, parents, and students for letting me be your pre-kindergarten coordinator for the past eight school years. 

Early Childhood has always been my favorite age group and it is how I started my career in education. I completed my Associate Degree in Child Care through Moraine Park Technical College back in 1992-94. I was able to do student teaching at the MPTC Child Development Center, YMCA, and Head Start programs. I used what I learned then from the students and my teachers in my school psychologist and administrative role still today.  Early Education classrooms are the foundation for where our education of young children is built. 

We have been able to accomplish many things including monthly Families Being Involved Workshops, Preschool Options model, iPads into the classroom, lofts added to our classrooms, Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards training and incorporation into our curriculum, monthly curriculum planning meetings, Taylor County Week of the Young Child activities, Beach Party Potluck Dinner and Dances, transition from half day to every other full day model, writing centers, listening centers, dramatic play grants, Pre-School Planning Mini-Grants, teacher blogs, pre-kindergarten registration day, and many other achievements. 

It has been a pleasure working with all of my early education certified and support staff over the years including Marsha, Carol, Sheila, Ashlee, Amber, Amanda, Brittany, Amanda, Kirsten, Joelle, Nancy, Teresa, Vanessa, Linda, Tammy, Ann, Sheryl, Tami, and all the rest. There have been many fond memories and embarrassing moments (hot dogs at the roller skating rink). My former staff will always be to me Ms. Marsha, Ms. Carol, and Ms. Sheila and not Mrs. Klingbeil, etc even in their new roles in other grade levels. 

I have been proud to work alongside some of our greatest staff and finest people in our school district found in our early education classrooms.  You have each made a significant difference in the lives of your students both then and now impacting their future. Thank you for giving them your talents, commitment, and dedication as part of your teaching careers.  

I am leaving our pre-kindergarten program in great hands with our current teachers, support staff, and under the administrative leadership of Mr. Miller.  I wish you all of the best both personally and professionally.  We will still have and I look forward to our active collaboration together on Child Development Day, Preschool Options Model for Children with Disabilities, and Taylor County Early Childhood Sub-Committee.  I look forward to continued great success in our pre-kindergarten program. 

Thank you again for the memories, moments, and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of our youngest students.


Here is my last early education update in preparation for this summer and into 12-13:

1. Reminder about the Pre-Kindergarten Report Card meeting on Monday June 25 at 1:00 pm at MAES.

2. We had 36 students enroll in our Summer Seedling for Pre-Kindergarten program.  This is our first year of the program and enrollment exceeded our expectations.  Amanda Williams and Chuck Prihoda will be the teachers. Sand Box will provide additional staffing support. 

3. We anticipate having 7 sections of Pre-Kindergarten and 3 sections of Early Childhood Special Education in 12-13. This is still contingent on how many new pre-kindergarten enrollments we receive over the summer.

4. Amanda Williams is projected to teach 1 section of Pre-Kindergarten and the other sections of Early Childhood Special Education in 12-13.  

5. Dan Miller will be the new supervisor and coordinator for the pre-kindergarten program and staff in 12-13. He will do any formative observations and summative evaluations of certified and support staff.  Any questions about students, curriculum, instruction, materials, or other type questions should be directed to him.  This is due to my additional school psychologist responsibilities in other buildings.

6. I will still remain as the administrator for our Early Childhood Special Education programming and staff. 

7. No final decisions have been made on whether I will continue as or a community member will be the Chairperson of the Taylor County Early Childhood Sub-Committee.

8. Brittany Zenner and Jody Will are teaching our Summer Seedling class for pre-kindergarten students going into Kindergarten in 12-13.

9. Sheryl Balciar will be available to provide speech language support services for students in our summer seedling programs.

10. Ages and Stages Training - August 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at MAES.  Ages and Stages is being considered for our new screening tool on Child Development Day on October 18.  Please register with Luanne Olson if you are able to attend.

Thank you,

Joseph