Tuesday, September 9, 2014

An Exemplary Educator


As an early childhood education foundation, HMESF feels that an educator who makes it his or her primary goal to encourage, support, and instill confidence in students is one to be valued and appreciated. The role of a teacher is one that requires resilience, patience, positivity and creativity, and it takes a very special person to represent all of these qualities.

Estella Rash of the University Child Development Center at the University of Missouri has gone above and beyond as an educator for over 35 years, and is being rewarded for her tremendous impact on the children she has taught with the 2014 PNC Bank Early Childhood Education Award. 

Photo courtesy of www.stlamerican.com
Rash's exemplary teaching style since her beginning in 1981 has been individualized curriculum, as Rash believes in catering to each student's individual learning styles and interests. She has also structured her teaching on the belief that curiosity, individual expression, and idea sharing are absolutely fundamental for children's development. Rash allows her students to feel free to express any and every thought they have, without fear of ever being wrong. 

Teachers, whether they be certified instructors, family members, or community figures, are essential to early childhood educational development. Brad Henry said, "A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." Estella Rash has proven to be a truly great teacher by this definition, and HMESF commends her hard work, and appreciates everything she has done for early childhood education. Estella will be presented her award by the St. Louis American Foundation at its 27th Annual Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on September 12th. 

Learn about the PNC Grow Up Great program here

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