Welcome to Our Partners Classroom
Our mixed-age class sets the stage for your child to grow within supportive and loving atmosphere, open to many new and interesting ideas. Children make the greatest gains when parents and professionals work together as partners. You, as parents and guardians, are a most important part of the learning triangle of child, parents and educators. We are honored to become your partners.
Shady Lane Philosophy
In the Partners Class, we provide your child with a learning experience that fosters social, emotional, intellectual and physical development, while cherishing individual differences. Using the "partnership" approach, we encourage our older, more experienced children to mentor younger children. Together, our class will be asking many questions and exploring a wide variety of answers.
Daily Schedule
The Partners Class schedule includes an "open classroom" Discovery Time that invites children to explore art, construction, science, drama and sensory experiences. Small Group activities enhance readiness skills, preparing children in our class who will be attending Kindergarten in the fall. Circle Time offers stories and songs, and time to discuss issues that have come up during the morning. During the afternoons, children have the opportunity to work on individual or group explorations.
Partners Class Team
The Partners Class team includes Co-Lead Educators Donna Chase and Rachel Pazman and Educators Sarah Maloney and Katie McQuaide. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, and has been with Shady Lane in a variety of roles since 2006. Katie is currently a student at Carlow University majoring in Psychology, has prior experience in other early childhood settings, and has been at Shady Lane since September 2008.
About the Co-Lead Educator
Donna Chase's association with Shady Lane goes back 19 years, to when her two sons attended the School. When they went on to elementary school, Donna stayed on to teach. For over 30 years, Donna has taught children ages two to 18. Donna holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from William Patterson University in New Jersey.
Rachel Pazman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Slippery Rock University. She started as an Educator at Shady Lane in 2007, and was made Co-Lead Educator in the Partners Class in September 2008.
We look forward to sharing a special time with your family.
Donna Chase
Partners Co-Lead Educator
Rachel Pazman
Partners Co-Lead Educator
