Junior Kindergarten, 3 Year Old Class

Growing up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I played multiple sports and took part in various school activities. Through these experiences, I cultivated an appreciation for the joys of play and the many life lessons that they provide. Growing up in a small town, I realize the privilege I had of being able to walk down the hallway and know everyone I passed. It created a loving and accepting environment, and in much the same way, we create that culture at MDS.

Spending time with young children is an easy and quick way to remember the beauty in the small things in our daily lives. Children love freely to those who need it most, and the world can always use more love. My goal is to foster that love and allow them to spread it everywhere they go. Creating an environment where children feel safe to learn and explore is my top priority. I want them to feel enticed to ask questions and make mistakes through learning and playing.

While at Concordia College on a softball scholarship, I studied Psychology and Biology. Since then, I have continued my Early Childhood training through Caldwell Community College. I look forward to expanding my knowledge both inside and outside of the classroom.

Brandie Martin
Junior Kindergarten 3 Assistant

“Children learn through play.” I see this daily as the Junior Kindergarten Teacher Assistant and it is an integral part of my passion with teaching preschool.

Originally from Morganton, my family and I moved back in 2014 to be closer to family and the mountains. We feel so lucky to have found MDS and to be a part of this community. My children attend MDS and I am privileged to have been a teacher at MDS for a decade where each student can thrive in an authentic hands-on learning environment.

With my B.A. in English Education, B.A. in English, and a minor in History from Appalachian State University, I taught 5 years in the NC public school system. After the first part of my teaching career, I acquired my Master’s of Library and Information Studies and worked in various positions for 9 years in public libraries from children’s programming, circulation and reference positions, to library branch manager. Along with my extensive learning through various trainings, webinars, and conferences, I am currently pursuing an additional degree in Early Childhood Education.

Junior Kindergarten 3 Units of Inquiry

Throughout each day, we teach key skills in social-emotional intelligence; such as: expressing our emotions through communication, listening to others, working together as a team and compassion for others.

How Our World Works: An inquiry into the natural world exploring animal characteristics, their environments and offspring.

How We Organize Ourselves: An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities:the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making: economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

How We Express Ourselves: An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.