Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Bales.
Hi Sharon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I believe that children are truly the shining stars of their academics. Blockbusters are the best of the best at the theater and the children are the best of the best in their education. Every thing is taught in a “star studded” movie theme manner. Sight words are called “popcorn words” Student behaviors are Emmy performances. Students walk the red carpet when they are doing their best and giving “Academy Award” effort.
I have been an early childhood teacher in the private school sector for 23 years. Teaching children early literacy and mathematical skills have been a great passion of mine. For many years I heard that because the students were so young that they were not capable of learning higher level of concepts. I strove to make learning engaging and interactive within my classroom walls that proved to be a formula of high achievement. Teaching while utilizing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences while coupled with Renzuilli’s model has allowed me to nourish high achieving, physically fit well-rounded students. If you were to walk in to my physical classroom you would see little ones singing out their alphabet, hopping out their sums and utilizing multiple senses while learning.
When the pandemic hit we went to virtual teaching. I like many teachers wondered how to reach and continue to engage students through this platform. It was important to me to offer programs to help parents who were now put front and center of their children’s education. It is important for parents to not feel alone and stressed and wondering if their children were truly absorbing what they needed.
I soon discovered that through the same songs, physical movement and activities I had previously utilized in class could very well indeed translate virtually. Health and fitness has always been an important part of my teaching. I believe that if we activate the body, the activation of the brain and willingness to learn is awakened. We start each virtual class with a kickboxing routine and superhero workouts. Each lesson taught has a lot of physical movement, call and answers, with brain breaks inserted at the right time to allow for movement and encourage engagement. Students are learning how to navigate their environments through the use of mindfulness training. I believe every child should have access to a “college prep” school curriculum. I am striving to offer my classes privately as well as offer yearly scholarships and have recently partnered with Kidpass platform so students can partake without paying college prep tuition. We are now running an early childhood enrichment program for Kindergarten – 2nd graders, tutoring, and 3rd – 6th grade enrichment lessons all virtually. We have even been able to offer a scholarship this year as well. Through our Kidpass partnership has now reached 800+ bookings for our “Fitness Journey Into Fairy Tales-Phonic” class to children throughout our nation. The virtual platform has afforded us the ability to reach more students and provide a support system for parents to use for their children’s academics. Some parents want help, others just need a moment to catch their breath and have their child engaged. It has been truly a remarkable journey thus far!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This has been a road of uncertainty. Identifying a need that we as an entire nation in how to help our children navigate this new way of learning has been easy. Figuring out the “best practices” and embracing all learning styles and environments has been most challenging. The most challenging is building that “culture and community” that is traditionally built in a face to face onsite learning environment. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has to be met in order for children to be successful in learning and doing so in a virtual environment posed a daunting task. In early childhood particularly we are so used to the “high-fives” and hugs that just isn’t there in a virtual setting. It is even more important for the children to feel connected with their instructor so that they are willing to take a risk in their learning. It is also a challenge for parents to understand that this method of learning can actually be of quality and that their children can truly be engaged and still love learning. My next challenge was after putting together a program that students were responding well to was how to get it in front of other parents who are struggling with their children learning from home or even those who have had numerous openings/closings.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a certified early childhood educator who has taught for 23 years in the private school sector. I have a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology degree. This degree has allowed me to more easily be able to establish my classroom communities and identify developmental patterns and academics. With a degree that depends on assessments I found that I was data driven within my classroom so I was able to streamline the students academics based on data. This led to excellent student outcomes and parental support. I am known for having the students who achieve quickly, are well behaved and independent within the classroom. Reading and writing are my passions and teaching children how to read and write their very own stories is rewarding at such an early age.
I am also a health and fitness enthusiast. I became a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer and am a 1st degree black belt judo instructor who holds various colored belts in Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do. Health and fitness is within my program as if you have a strong body you will have a strong mind. All lessons are taught with a lot of movement, rhythm, brain breaks, yoga, mindfulness manner. I feel that what sets me apart from others is the fact that I empower my students and instill that sense of self that is so greatly needed in order to learn. When you walk into my classroom environment you see students engaged, having fun, learning but practicing self control. Currently, I am most proud of reaching so many students and helping navigate the world right now in a fun environment. Although, I was just recently contacted by a parent whose son is class Valedictorian whom I taught to read in Kindergarten. The family had transferred mid year and the little guy just wasn’t able to do it yet. The mother stated that “it all began” with me taking him and giving him the “love of learning.” I have to honestly say that message just a couple of days ago brought tears of pride to my eyes of remembering this little guy who crossed my doorstep back in 2009 who is now the class Valedictorian at a college prep school.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would really like parents to know that they are doing a great job. I am popping into households across the nation and hearing the same stories of parents who just really want to do the best they can and help their children learn in the virtual world. I would like parents to know that there are many quality programs out there such as mine whose sole focus is to lighten their load and keep the love of learning intact.
Contact Info:
- Website: BalesBlockbusters.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balesblockbusters/?__tn__=%2Cd
Image Credits
Michael Bales
