We are excited to introduce you to our Feature Team of the Month, Ms. Cheryl and Ms. Angie. This awesome team works behind the scenes and keeps Parish Day School going! Ms. Angie is our Kitchen Manager and Head Chef. She creates our monthly menus of snacks and lunches. Many parents ask for her recipes, as our children love the meals she provides. Ms. Cheryl is our Prep Cook, Morning Care team member, and Resident Artist. You have seen her artwork and designs throughout the building. We love the joy it brings to our children when they see her new creations. Did you know that many mornings she creates games and activities for the children? We are so proud of this amazing team!
What brought you to the field of Early Childhood Education?
Ms. Cheryl: I came into Early Childhood Education for the love of children. I enjoyed coaching young children in sports including my own kids at the young age. After working in several different fields in my life, mostly in transportation, including import and export for about 28 years, 4 years in route delivery, and 5 years in the restaurant field at Chick-Fil-A; I decided to give Early Childhood a try and I'm loving it.
Ms. Angie: I started working at a preschool in the kitchen when my daughter went to preschool. It was the perfect schedule for me with my children in school. At some point I moved over to the YMCA and worked with their kitchen. This was great because my kids and I also got a gym membership with my position and I was still working with children. These two positions gave me a love of working with children.
Why did you want to work at Parish Day School?
Ms. Angie: I had a friend working at Parish Day School and she told me they had an opening for Kitchen Manager. She felt like it would be a good fit for me. She was right, I have loved the schedule, my creative freedom with the menu, and that it is such a happy place to work.
Ms. Cheryl: There are several reasons working at PDS is wonderful. Having the flexibility of being able to work early morning hours so I can continue with my umpiring advocation. The time off weeks are nice as I never had that in my previous fields of work. The awesome team at PDS with the feeling of support and encouragement, which again I didn't see much of in my previous jobs. And, of course, seeing the young children learning new things and giving hugs is an extra special treat.
Do you have a role model or hero that inspired you?
Ms. Cheryl: My husband's Aunt Donna worked in Pre-School all her working career. I heard her stories, even though challenging at times, about how the children would bring joy and love to her life. Seeing the children learn new things is very rewarding.
I also have a co-worker here at PDS, Susie Fleenor, who is a fellow referee that inspired me to give this career a try.
Ms. Angie: There have been so many positive and inspirational people in my life and I have tried to take things from each of them. I am thankful for the amazing people I have worked or interacted with over the years that have impacted my life.
What do you bring to Parish Day School that makes you unique?
Ms. Angie: The meals and snacks I get to create and provide to our preschool family is my unique talent. I have had lots of practice cooking for a big family and I truly enjoy making nourishing meals for our students and exposing them to new foods.
Ms. Cheryl: The artwork I bring to the walls throughout the school makes me unique. Also having a variety of jobs here at PDS makes me unique. These jobs include early morning care, kitchen assistant, classroom floater, making artwork to decorate the walls. All of these jobs help me to have connections with the children and parents. The administration here has told me I have a unique gift of working and connecting with children that is not teachable.
What is your favorite thing about being part of the Parish Day School Team?
Ms. Angie: I can't narrow it down to just one favorite thing, there are so many things that are my favorite about being part of the Parish Day School Team. It is just a happy place to work with lots of joy in our hallways.
Ms. Cheryl: Being able to work with a great staff and wearing many different hats in my variety of jobs.
Do you have a favorite time of year at Parish Day School?
Ms. Cheryl: I can't really say I have a favorite time of year. I do enjoy putting up new artwork and hearing the excitement from the kids and parents at the start of each month. I also enjoyed the week of the young child this year. Dressing up in different things each day was very fun.
Ms. Angie: Honestly, every month is my favorite, it brings something new to our school. It is wonderful that everything is always constantly changing as we grow with our school year.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
Ms. Angie: Go with the Flow. It is so true in education that you go with the flow and adapt and change to the needs of the children. It is truly a lesson for life.
Ms. Cheryl: Teaching the children the "Golden Rule" in life, 'Treat others the way you would want to be treated'.
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