May is a busy month for OELC Kennedy. Teacher Appreciation is May 2-6th. Feel free to volunteer or join our next Parent Committee Meetings. May 26-27 there is No School for students. It is a professional development day for staff. Starting in June we will be partnering with Whispering Roots. Families will be offered times that they can support and learn about gardening with Whispering Roots. YAY! The produce for the garden will be used in as many daily meals for children to increase farm to table practices. Spring has sprung and we are excited for the summer months.

Faylyn Yarger was a kindergarten teacher at Lothrop for 7 years, pre-k teacher at Lothrop 3 years, an early childhood coach at Lothrop & Franklin elementary schools for 4 years, and is now the Site Director of OELC Kennedy since November 2019.

Faylyn has a Bachelors Degree in Education K-12 from Peru State College

an Early Childhood Masters Degree from Concordia University

and an Education of Administration Masters Degree from Concordia University.

“Relationships are necessary for us to survive, learn, work, love and live in harmony with each other. Research shows ‘it is the most connected who thrive’. Rituals are key to creating healthy relationships” - Dr. Becky Bailey, founder of the Conscious Discipline approach

Teachers at OELC at Kennedy are encouraged to use a ritual called Morning Greetings. It looks different from room to room but is an expectation because of its value for the relationships that teachers build with the children and their families over time.

“The purpose of a routine is predictability.”

• School routines include handwashing, toileting, transitioning to the gym or playground, eating meals together. What are some of your home routines?

“The purpose of a ritual is connection.”

• Rituals for connection include four key elements: eye contact, appropriate touch, full presence of the adult, & a playful situation.
• The goal is to create an authentic and warm connection between the child & adult. What rituals does your family practice that create feelings of warm connection? This might include a bedtime ritual, a favorite song that you sing together or dance to while holding hands, or a tickle session that you both enjoy.

When children are first introduced to the Morning Greeting, it is a daily routine that enhances environmental support for true connection, self-regulation, and overall social-emotional learning for children. With consistent use it becomes a valuable ritual that strengthens the relationships or connections between children and teachers, which helps the children feel safe in their school environment.

Have you noticed the teachers in your child’s classroom engaging in a Morning Greeting? Do you see the four key elements being used? Not every child will be ready to engage in the Morning Greeting every day, but we hope with time that it provides support at drop-off time and gets everyone’s day off to a positive and warm start.

The Four Key Elements:

1. Eye contact
2. Appropriate touch
3. Full presence of the adult
4. A fun/playful situation that results in smiles.

Some other important ingredients: adult is at the child’s eye level, there is a warm greeting, and the teacher observes to discover the child’s interest in the greeting ritual.

Please ask your child’s teachers about it!

LB: "Omaha, Nebraska."

I see, so it looks like you travelled far to be here today. Thanks for doing that. So, how did you first get involved in early childhood?

I "Graduated from college and saw an ad for a director of a before-and-after school program in Ralston, worked during the day at their early childhood program, and fell in love with working with the toddlers there. Then I knew I would be working with young children for the rest of my life."

Wow. That's amazing. It sounds like you've found this career really rewarding. What would you say is the most rewarding part of it all?

"Getting to create a wonderful and close relationship with these children and their families. seeing the growth that can happen in these three short years is really so gratifying."

It really is. What about the opposite, what's the most challenging part of this job for you?

"Not stealing these cute little ones and taking them home with me!"

Oh my gosh, they are so cute! Working with infants and toddlers all day can be stressful though, I'm sure. What do you like to do to just relax?

"I love outdoor activities: fishing, camping, roller skating, and firepits in my backyard."

Oh, there's nothing like the great outdoors! Lauren, you're a very busy person. You work here, you and your husband have your own business, what is something that you've always wanted to do?

"I want to take a trip to go fishing in the ocean! I would like to visit the west coast again."

Omaha, We Don't Coast. I hope you get to the ocean again soon! Well thanks for talking with us Lauren and doing everything that you do!

Email: lauren.barry@omahaelc.org
Website: omahaelc.org
Location: 3200 North 30th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 4025616190

We are actively hiring for almost all positions. Click on the link below to our Career Link page! We would love for you to join our incredibly diverse and collaborative workplace!

Not enticed, how about the $1500 hiring bonus??? Apply today!