FAIRFAX FUTURES PRESENTS SCHOOL READINESS EDUCATOR AWARDS AT ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

Three early childhood educators received Fairfax Futures’ 2009 School Readiness Educator Awards in recognition of their efforts to create partnerships and inspire others to help young children make successful transitions to elementary school.

Shemsa Minni Web

Shemsa Minni received the first award ever presented by Fairfax Futures to a family child care provider. Ms. Minni was recognized for her efforts to help children build their academic skills, problem-solve, share, take turns, and listen. In presenting the award, Fairfax Futures’ executive director, Vera Steiner Blore, noted that Ms. Minni has created a caring and structured environment in her home that supports the nurturing of “children’s self-help skills, encouraging their independence and healthy development.” Ms. Minni has completed Fairfax County Office for Children’s School Readiness Certificate training program and participates in the lending library program established by Early Head Start Family Child Care.

Debbie Brown and Fairfax Futures executive director, Vera Steiner Blore

Debbie Brown, director of the Sleepy Hollow Preschool, was recognized for her strong support of unstructured playtime and for her active engagement with parents in the preschool. Ms. Brown also was acknowledged for her efforts to create a preschool that cultivates self-reliant, confident children ready for new experiences. She continues to promote the importance of children’s school readiness through her participation as a team member of the Fairfax County Neighborhood School Readiness Project, and is also a member of the Fairfax County Public School Transition Team, as well as an advocate for regular dialogue between educators and families.

Joy Hanbury

The third award was presented to Joy Hanbury, principal at Providence Elementary School in Fairfax. As a principal for the past 17 years, Joy Hanbury has provided many opportunities to help young children and their families make a successful transition to kindergarten. For the past seven years, Ms. Hanbury has sought creative ways to include preschool siblings in the school, by inviting them to join their older siblings at school functions and by coming with their families to visit the school library, which is kept open for their use over the summer. Under her leadership, the school web site offers a “virtual field trip” so that parents can introduce and familiarize their children with the kindergarten classroom and, at kindergarten orientation, a school bus is on site so that incoming students can get on the bus to see what it is like before they actually ride it to school.