GMSP! Teacher Britton lauded, Little League details efforts to enroll needy kids

December 21, 2007
Santa Paula News

Kids were a priority at the December Good Morning Santa Paula! with an area kindergarten teacher honored as the Educator of the Month and the new leaders of the city’s Little League urging participation.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesKids were a priority at the December Good Morning Santa Paula! with an area kindergarten teacher honored as the Educator of the Month and the new leaders of the city’s Little League urging participation.The Chamber of Commerce sponsored event, hosted by Agromin, was held at the Grove at the Glen Tavern Inn.McKevett School Principal Sheryl Misenhimer said that teacher Dolores Britton has been an outstanding kindergarten teacher for a decade.“Kindergarten is very tough,” noted Britton. “...it’s the new first grade” with class time now encompassing about half of the traditional first year of instruction in reading, writing and “their numbers.”Teaching kindergarten is “Great for self-esteem...you’ll be reading a story and see a hand go up in the first row. It’s either tremendous insight into something I read or a request to go to the bathroom!”Kindergarten students are affectionate: “I hear ‘Teacher, you’re beautiful, I love you,’ “ comments that Britton said make her day.Although “Some people say to me ‘How do you do it? I had you pegged’ “ for teaching higher grades, Britton noted that teaching kindergarten has its own special rewards for students.“I become the representative for all adults in the world for children, how they see the world. Everything I do and say gets imprinted in them.”And, it you desire a glimpse of how others see you “Just ask a kindergarten student to imitate you. They are very literal and you have to be careful what you say.”
As an example Britton said that at a Back to School night the parents of one of her students requested that she tell the student that “it’s okay to do homework after school...” and not just at night as Britton had casually mentioned in class.John Macik/Santa Paula Chevrolet provides the monthly Chamber award plaques.Santa Paula Little League President Ron Araiza said that this year about 20 percent more children are expected to sign up.Little League offers “positive reinforcement” that must be encouraged but that the league needs funds and volunteers.To demonstrate the positive impacts of being involved in the American past time Araiza said that former Santa Paula Little Leaguers who went into professional sports will be introduced to the players.But, he added, “There are so many kids in town who cannot afford,” to be a Little League player even though the fees are the lowest in the county.“If you can’t afford to sponsor a team sponsor a child,” at a cost in the low $80 range that “is the lowest in the county and covers” everything required for taking part in the program.Araiza said that the Little League leadership would be working with the school districts to identify children who need sponsorships.“This time we’re going to reach out to the community and not wait for them to come for us. We’ll find those needy kids,” and enroll them in Little League.Araiza said to call 525-8205 for more information or to contact him by email at raraiza@missionpro.com



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