She is a Texas native, a grandmother of two MGCS students, and a former elementary school principal with 20 years of teaching experience in public and private schools.  We are delighted to welcome Barbara Smith to MGCS as our new 4-year-old preschool teacher.  Here, she answers three questions:

TEACHING OR ADMINISTRATION?

Even while I was principal, I taught a Bible class for our kindergarten classes.  It gave the teachers some planning time and I’ve always really loved teaching.  It’s such a blessing to influence a child and their family. I love being back in the classroom full time.

IS PRESCHOOL REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

Oh yes!  It’s the foundation for everything that follows, and children are like sponges at these ages.  It’s so very important to get it right.  My prayer is always that God will equip me to give a child my best because that is what children need in preschool.  This is a critical window of opportunity in the life of a child.  Often, a child’s academic success can be traced back to a preschool experience.

WHY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION?

Teaching at a Christian school is the ultimate experience for me because I get to do what I love and share Christ with my students.  At a Christian school, God’s word is woven in to the school day.  Children hear the same message from teachers that they hear at home. This was important to me when I enrolled my own children in a Christian school.  When I look at my grandchildren and consider the world they will face as adults, I know they need a strong spiritual foundation.