Note: Some footage used in this video was filmed prior to the pandemic and may not depict social distancing measures.
Transcription – Meghan Hetherington – 2020 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in Early Childhood Education
[Close-up of woman in an interview setting against a backdrop of books. Music playing.]
"The pandemic, I didn't take this class in university, pandemic. So I've been I feel like I'm constantly writing, and learning things."
[Cut to photo, with voice over. Photo: two children sitting at a table eating ice cream looking at Meghan on a tablet.]
"The pandemic has definitely taught all of us, our families and myself included the importance of it takes a village to raise a child."
[Fade to black and then up to white with medium shot of woman, smiling, on the left side of the screen, with the following words appearing, line by line, on the right: Meghan Hetherington, BriarPatch Community Preschool, Sherwood Park, Alberta. Fade to black and then up to close-up of Meghan in the interview setting.]
"From a young age I have always loved working with children. I remember being nine years old and wanting to care for them. As soon as I was old enough to babysit you betcha I was babysitting. I love arts and crafts. I love being part of watching a child. That lightbulb moment."
[Cut to photos, with voice over. Photos: Meghan with two children dressed as leprechauns standing in a doorway celebrating St. Patrick's day. Meghan sitting with a child and doll on her lap in front of a group of students.]
"I believe that the most important thing for a child to succeed is a sense of belonging. Connected, knowing that they matter. I want to make sure a child knows that I want to know what their favourite colour is."
[Cut back to close-up of Meghan in the interview setting.]
"I want to know what their dog's name is. I want to know what they do with their grandma and grandpa on Friday nights. Tell me, tell me, tell me. When I have that information I can make learning activities."
[Cut to photos, with voice over. Photos: Meghan and a small child smiling; Meghan and a woman standing beside mascot; Meghan and a child holding a guinea pig.]
"I can do experiences that relate back to that. And then the child is in. He's sold, he's bought. He's bought into this and he is totally engaged. When a child, just like an adult knows that they matter and that they have a sense of belonging. They're safe, they're respected, and they're heard. There's so much more that can happen."
[Cut back to close-up of Meghan in the interview setting.]
"And I just make sure that we really incorporate community. And not just in terms of charity, but also I have grandparents that their youngest grandchild left me six years ago. They still come back and play music for us. And you know the local gym? We go there for a field trip so that when they see her out in the street they can say hi to her. When the library lady comes we just make sure we incorporate community into our classroom."
[Fade to black and then up to Meghan in the interview setting.]
"The perfect space for children to learn is a space where they walk in and they know they belong."
[Cut to photos, with voice over. Photos: Meghan reading a book to a group of students in a class room; Meghan dressed in a costume handing out cupcakes; Meghan and a small child sitting on a rocking chair smiling.]
"I want it to be warm, and welcoming, inclusive, and different. I want them to know that when they walk in this space is for them. This is their special place away from home where they get to learn, and grow, and make friendships"
[Cut back to Meghan in the interview setting.]
"And realise just how smart and awesome they are."
[Fade to black and then up to Meghan in the interview setting.]
"We need to make sure that their hearts are taken care of in order for this to blossom."
[Fade to black, with the Government of Canada FIP and then the Canada Wordmark appearing in white.]
Year: 2020 — Province: Alberta
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
BriarPatch Community Preschool
Charitable not-for-profit community preschool for children ages 2.5 to 6 years
Sherwood Park, Alberta
The importance of empathy, inclusiveness and kindness are threaded throughout every teaching moment and interaction—and I know my children are better people for having had [Miss Meghan] as a teacher.
Meghan Hetherington is well known in her small community for delivering a quality preschool experience. She actively brings the community to her class and takes the children out into the community for regular field trips, and changes her whole program each year in response to the children's interests.
Philosophy of care
Guided by the principles of community, empathy, literacy, creativity, kindness, movement and laughter, Meghan prepares her students with not only the numeracy and literacy skills they will need to succeed academically, but also with the social and emotional skills necessary for true compassion and empathy. Hearts and brains!
Support of child development
- Emphasizes play-based activities to teach skills: squishing playdough and threading beads help children develop the hand strength and coordination they will need for printing, without the need for boring worksheets or stressful expectations.
- Designs open, bright rooms, with a menagerie of animals and numerous stations for children to explore; she adapts these as children's interests take learning in new directions, and to answer their questions (Will a pumpkin float or sink? How does fat help keep animals warm in the winter?) and demonstrate concepts.
- Meets individual needs of individual children: encouraged very gifted boy to read and present to the class; checked out every library book she could find on one child's obscure interest; had her father install essential bathroom fixtures when a student with unique physical challenges joined her class and ensured that same child was a full participant in all class activities, including the Terry Fox Run.
- Prepares her children for school and for life: Kindergarten teachers note that these young learners can independently put on their own winter gear, hold a pencil, write their name, line up and follow directions, recite their ABCs and count to 10 in both official languages—and be kind.
Involvement with parents, families and the community
- Welcomes the extended family with her open-door policy, inviting family members to share their talents, traditions and careers; older children lend a hand while their brother or sister accompanies their parents on a visit to the centre and is the "big kid" looking out for their even younger siblings.
- Connects children to the community to help them develop an innate sense of compassion, empathy and belonging: for example, she introduces Terry Fox and his legacy in an age-appropriate way and spearheads the preschool's annual run and fundraising, which outstrips efforts by other, much larger centres.
- Forges strong working relationships with various agencies that deliver extra supports for children with disabilities, including the Centre for Autism Services Alberta, GRIT (Getting Ready for Inclusion Today), Over the Rainbow and Community Options, to support the full inclusion of differently abled students.
Get in touch!
BriarPatch Community Preschool
100 A 50 Brentwood Boulevard
Sherwood Park AB T8A 2H5
780-464-3217
briarpatchkids@hotmail.com
https://www.briarpatchfamilycentre.com/briarpatch-preschool/
Facebook: @BriarPatchpreschool