Olathe teacher describes focus on face-to-face connection, play-based learning in early childhood classroom

Debbie Beeman, a Jump Start early childhood teacher at Heather Stone Elementary, told meeting attendees that she emphasizes face-to-face connection, differentiated learning centers and minimal technology in her classroom.

Beeman said she has been teaching since 1997 and moved to the area in February 2014 to join Olathe Public Schools. "I love having the experience of creating a child's first time at school," she said, adding that her goal is for children to "feel safe" and "feel loved."

Beeman described her classroom approach as play-based and individualized. "We have different learning centers in our environment, and the kids have the freedom to rotate. We have science, art, dramatic play, blocks, library," she said, noting that children learn counting, sorting and creative skills while they play. She said she differentiates curriculum to meet each child's needs so students can "explore learning at their own pace."

On instructional technology, Beeman said early childhood classes in her program use "pretty minimal technology," arguing that young children benefit more from direct, face-to-face interaction than screen time. She also said the class includes singing and dancing as part of daily routines to build classroom community.

Beeman told the meeting she holds a master's degree in educational leadership and has English-language learner certification from Kansas State University. She said her own early teachers, named in her remarks as Mrs. Herring and Mrs. Winn, helped inspire her career in education.

Closing her remarks, Beeman said she enjoys long-term connections with students, recounting that former pupils occasionally return to give her a hug, and said she hopes to still be teaching in five years.