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Derry Area SD highlights Teaching Tiny Trojans early‑learning program; parents praise home‑based model
Summary
The board heard a presentation on the Teaching Tiny Trojans program, which provides free home‑ and on‑campus early education for children ages 2–5, funded by a Learning Lamp grant. Parents described gains in social confidence and school readiness; staff said the district will gradually absorb program costs over time.
The Derry Area School District board on Aug. 7 heard a presentation on Teaching Tiny Trojans, a grant‑funded early‑learning program that serves children ages 2 through 5 with home‑based and on‑campus lessons and parent education.
Program leader Mrs. McClain said Teaching Tiny Trojans provides individual and small‑group instruction, play‑based learning, an iPad lending program, authentic books for home libraries and parent education. Instruction is guided by intentional assessment, including Ages & Stages questionnaires completed by parents, and staff monitor student progress across literacy, math, social‑emotional and motor skills.
"The goal of the program is to also educate parents so that they act as co‑teachers with our Teaching Tiny Trojans educators," Mrs. McClain said. She told the board the program is grant funded by the nonprofit Learning Lamp and that the district will “slowly absorb costs associated with the program” over time.
Parent Nathan Bundy, whose son Roland enrolled at age 2, said home visits and group lessons helped introduce his child to peers and to “the concept of school and learning” in developmentally appropriate ways. "They meet you where you are. They literally come to your house… they were flexible with the times," Bundy said.
Parent Phil (last name not specified in transcript) said the program increased his child's confidence and comfort in school settings after attending group lessons on campus. Both parents described teachers’ responsiveness and the value of taking students into the school to see buses and older children.
McClain said the program uses materials such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and delivers books and resources to families; teachers also co‑plan lessons with kindergarten staff to ease transition. She reported that eight students who participated in the program were expected to enter the district’s kindergarten class and that enrollment grew between program quarters.
Board members thanked parents and staff for their work. No formal board action on the program was taken at the meeting; McClain emphasized continued outreach and assessment as the program seeks to grow.
The presentation included slides on early‑brain development and the program’s emphasis on family engagement; McClain noted that early intervention can address developmental delays and strengthen school readiness.
The board meeting packet and the district website include the program presentation for further detail.
