Beth Schaeffer, Director at Renshaw Early Childhood Center at Western Kentucky University and Adjunct Faculty in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education at WKU, believes that every child can be school and life ready when provided the supports necessary to meet the unique needs of each child. “Families are the foundation of a child's readiness for school and life and truly are their child's first and best teacher. Partnerships with parents are key to a child's success. I also strongly believe that we are better together. When programs, agencies and people come together with a shared vision and commitment, only then can we make a difference and move the needle forward for all children.”
Beth has had the great privilege and opportunity to be mentored by so many who positively impacted her personal and professional lives. “Dr. Vicki Stayton, retired director of the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program was the primary instructor in my graduate program and high very high expectations of her students. She challenged me to learn and to grow, but most importantly, she taught me how to think critically. She painted a vivid picture of young children with and without disabilities and expected to see application of this knowledge in field and course work. She taught me to be attentive to detail, looking at each tree in the forest and appreciating their uniqueness. Dr. Mary Evans was my supervisor, as principal at Cumberland Trace Elementary, where I taught as a preschool teacher. Dr. Evans, too, had very high expectations and was the model of commitment, doing whatever was necessary for all children to succeed, not as a group, but individually. She believed in each child and taught me how to see the gifts that each child brings and how to use those gifts to grow areas needing more support. Dr. Evans was a stellar leader, partnering with families and community, creating a committed team who shared a vision and bought into the plan to make that vision a reality for all children. Because of these two dedicated professionals, my practice was stronger, my drive to continue to learn and grow was insatiable and the lives of countless children and families was and continues to be changed for the better.”
Without meaning to sound too clicheic, Beth says that her sense of pride is never greater than when one of her former students finds purpose and worth. “ I have been the winner of several awards. While it is very humbling to be recognized by my colleagues and peers, there is nothing as rewarding in knowing a child whose parents were told they would struggle as learners see their child graduate from high school then college, with accolades for their great accomplishments. The children are now young adults with degrees, certifications, licensure in fields they love and fields that impact my quality of life. There is no greater sense of accomplishment.”
The best advice Beth has received came in the form of a question from both her mentors, Dr. Stayton and Dr. Evans. “ When offering ideas for growing my preschool program or providing specific support to children, both of these stellar professionals consistently countered with, "It's that what's best for children?" "What is your goal with this change and how will children be impacted?" This caused me much reflection, research and refocusing on the core of my practice, raising outcomes for every child. They would not allow me to sit comfortably with what has always been done nor would they approve of change that might have made my life easier as an educator but didn't consider the needs of my students. But they did this through questioning, facilitating critical thinking centered around child specific goals, evidence based practices and the long-term impact. As frustrating as it was at the time not to get a simple answer to my questions or a stamp of approval, I am by far the better professional, thanks to their leadership.”
Beth feels there is a widely accepted perception that preschool teachers get to play all day and that they are not as valued as teachers of older children. “I have a Bachelor's degree in elementary education and a Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, providing me the training and licensure to teach all children birth - 6th grade and to teach children birth - kindergarten with special needs. There is a great knowledge base required to appropriately support the growth and development of young children. While my classroom was bright and fun, each item available to children was placed there with goals and objectives for its use to provide challenge and support to the unique learning needs children entered the school with. There was no down time while children were present, each minute was highly calculated and very well thought out. A great deal of planning is required to meet the unique learning and living needs of each child. What modifications are necessary for a child in a wheelchair to access the materials and activities? What support does a child with hearing loss need to be actively engaged in story time, with peers, with the routine? What medical training will I need to respond to the child who has seizures, a feeding tube, multiple pieces of equipment to support mobility or extreme impulse control deficits? Rather than succumb to a pity party or turn my frustration into defensiveness, I worked hard to educate and inform others about preschool and preschool age children. I became very active with our faculty so they were able to see that I truly was a well trained and highly committed professional. I reached out to community stakeholders, again educating and advocating for high quality early learning opportunities for all children that include family as partners.”
Beth chairs the Tri-SKY Collaborative Community Early Childhood Council, serving Butler, Edmonson and Warren Counties. These councils are sponsored by the Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood and are driven by community need as reported in grant requests submitted by each council. “This council has afforded me the opportunity to educate and advocate the critical importance of the early years to those in the field, stakeholders in early childhood the the community as a whole. Our council's overarching goal is to prepare EVERY child living in the Tri-SKY region for school and life success. Partnerships with public preschool, Head Start, child cares, public library, health department, court systems, the corporate community, civic groups--any stakeholder who is connected to young children are key and every developing. Connecting these entities to reduce duplication of services and fill gaps is critical. Our greatest goal is reaching children and families who are not connected to any early learning or care opportunities. We want families to know how important the early years are to a child's future, what they can do and what they can access. While this is very much a part of my career path, it is a passion and I am driven to reach and support every child, every family.”
After a 20 year career with the Warren County Public Schools (WCPS), as a preschool teacher, early literacy coach and preschool consultant, Beth retired, July, 2019. “While this decision was one of the most difficult I have ever made, it was time for change. My work with WCPS afforded me many opportunities that helped shape me as a professional and allowed me to connect with thousands of young children and their families. There is never an equitable replacement for time spent on the front line, working with young children, eager to learn, eager to know, eager to do. Shortly after my retirement from WCPS, I sought to be connected to young children and families, but in a different way and was hired as the director of the Renshaw Early Childhood Center, serving children, with and without disabilities, 15 months - kindergarten entry. Not only did this opportunity allow me to continue my work directly with young children, I was able to teach in the IECE program at WKU, preparing teacher candidates. This was such a good fit for me, extending my outreach to the children these teacher candidates would impact.”
Most people do not know that Beth is a fan of loud rock music and her happy place is at a rock concert. “I am blessed with a group of friends who share this same passion. While our tastes differ some, it allows us to see (and enjoy) a band we might have taken a chance on. I never considered this interest odd, however, I guess I have been seen as a professional running a tight ship. Envisioning me at a rock concert has been a shock to many.”
Beth’s best adventures include trips she has taken with her 19 year old daughter that she would not trade for anything. “Our first trip was to Chicago, several days sight-seeing with the grand finale of seeing Hamilton on stage. We had a blast driving to Chicago, singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack, laughing, giggling, and having deep talks along the way. Our second trip was to San Francisco to visit my nieces and to see a part of the world neither of us have been to. On both trips, we went with the flow, a list of must do's but a laid back agenda. We so enjoyed one another's company, walked miles and miles and took in sights that were new and different. Precious memories.”
For fun and relaxation, Beth says spending time with my family is just the best. “We love the water, pool, beach, sand and sun. I enjoy reading but will only start a book when I know I have no other obligations that might interrupt my reading. I love time with friends, particularly doing the concert thing.”
Beth is not reading anything right now, because she is teaching at WKU. “I try not to get caught up in something that I can't finish in one sitting. I look for books on the fiction best seller list and as far as television shows, tend to lean toward crime dramas, NCIS (in any city), Chicago Med, Fire and PD, etc.”
At the top of Beth's bucket list is a mother daughter trip to New Orleans. “I've been there once as a part of a conference and had a blast. I'd love to go back with my daughter on one of our low key, but see it all trips! Something that's always been on my bucket list is to learn to play the piano. I've never had the time to really focus on this nor the space for a piano in my home. But of all the things I wish I could do is play my heart out on the piano.”
Beth can be contact via:
Email: schaefferba@bellsouth.net
Facebook: Beth Bolin Schaeffer
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