Leduc-Strathcona Services for Children
4806 47 Avenue T9E 5X7 Leduc, AB, Canada

November Educator Spotlight Julie-Anne W. Julie-Anne is a level one educator who has been with the Sherwood Park Branch for two years. She is incredibly creative with her program planning and offers a wide variety of educational and open ended experiences for the children in care. One of my favorite things about Julie-Anne is that she participates in all of the activities with the children. I have seen her do Halloween obstacle courses and Bee Waggle dances to get everyone up... and moving. Music is constant in Julie-Anne’s house, which I find helps set the tone for the play she expects to see. When asked what her favorite activity was to do with children she shared that I absolutely love our dance parties; getting silly and grooving in the living room. Sometimes we add in props (scarves, egg shakers, glow sticks, bells, bean bags etc.) or we follow obstacle lines on the floor. We’ve done cloud hopping, a Christmas tree hopscotch, balancing on a spider web, bee waggle dance and others inspired by the children’s interests. We also love our yoga here where we often find poses to match up with our monthly themes; it’s so fun to share with them something that I enjoy doing myself. When asked what she enjoys most about being in child care Julie-Anne shared that There is something magical about witnessing a child’s excitement found in the little things (finding a bug, seeing a plane overhead, waiting to wave to the garbage truck, footprints in the snow, planting a sunflower). Nothing compares to their pride when they accomplish something new or when they have a story to share. These moments light up my days as they grow up right before my eyes. I find myself constantly in awe of Julie-Anne’s elaborate program planning. She really thinks outside of the box and always finds creative ways to plan based on the interests of the children in care. She is the master of sensory bins as well and surprises even me with her thoughtful and engaging sensory activities. Thank you for all your hard work Julie-Anne! It does not go unnoticed and I see firsthand the impact your labor of love has on the children you care for J.

We applaud our Educators.

We will be closed today, Wednesday November 11th as we honour and remember those who fought for our country.

Never knew the whole verse. Very cute.