Our Owls Pre-K classroom is designed for 4 year olds.
The student to teacher ratio does not exceed 10 children to 2 teachers. Throughout the year special field trips are planned to enrich learning.
The children enter this class with some of the skills needed to start kindergarten in a public, private or charter school, but with the guidance of our teachers, they will be completely ready by the end of their pre-K year! A look into the Owl classroom will reveal a more traditional classroom. It is full of developmental, focused centers, which changes throughout the week. There are also more opportunities for dramatic play which the children enjoyed in the younger classes.
Upon arrival in the morning, you’ll see the pre-K teacher sitting around a table with a group of children working on pre-reading, writing, early math, science skills, or an art project in a very small group. The other children are enjoying free play with games, puzzles, blocks, LEGO, or dramatic-play toys. After a certain amount of time, the group rotates. This ensures all students will receive individual attention. We’ve found this educational-directed approach to be a success!
With Show-and-Tell each class day the children practice positive communication. After the speaker’s presentation, the listeners ask questions. With a degreed and experienced teacher, our students master correct pencil grip and will learn to write their names. The teacher also provides many activities that develop pre-reading skills. This will be evident when your child begins kindergarten and starts to read.
The love of discovery is instilled within each unit of science and math.
To celebrate the year’s success our students graduate! We have a formal, but kid-friendly ceremony complete with caps and gowns.
Ms. Debbie
Lead Teacher, Pre-K
Team Member Since August 2023
Ms. Debbie has come out of retirement to become our Pre-K lead teacher! Ms. Debbie has taught in many different elementary schools over the years, mostly as she was raising her family in Oklahoma. When her references were called before her interview, every single one just couldn’t stop talking about how amazing it was to work with her, to know her, to be mentored by her! Ms. Debbie originally retired to become a caretaker for her husband and later on for her grandchildren. She was a grandmother in our program before joining our staff and has already been such a breath of fresh air for our teaching team! She brings professionalism, compassion, humor, and a genuine excitement and energy for both the CDO and the teaching profession! She is gift to the CDO team!
Ms. Judy Roberts
Asst. Teacher (M-TH), Pre-K
Team Member Since August 2023
Ms. Judy R. is brand new to our teaching staff but not brand new to teaching! After graduating from the University of Texas with a college degree in liberal arts in May 2022, Ms. Judy went to work as an assistant Pre-K teacher in a full time childcare center where she spent last year and witnessed their Pre-K graduation this summer. Ms. Judy is going through all of the steps possible to become a certified teacher in the State of Texas currently. Our hope is that the process will take a long time so that she can stay with us for many years! Ms. Judy grew up in the Houston area where her family still resides. In her spare time, she enjoys being active, cooking, reading, traveling, and most importantly, spending time with family, friends, and dogs. We look forward to working with Ms. Judy and welcome her to the St. Mark CDO teaching team!
