Transitions
Kris Finley, Director
Trinity Lutheran Preschool
Lynnwood, WA and ELEA National Board President

     This fall has been a huge transition for our staff at Trinity Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten.  First we added a new Kindergarten program which required a juggling of staff and the need to hire additional teachers, and staff chose to transition from full time to part time which required an extra person to fill the other part of the full time position.

     We all knew the addition of the Kindergarten program would impact our jobs in some way, most especially for the Director and Office assistant, but we didn’t know quite how.  Three months into the new program we have a better idea of what the answer to that is and how we might do it differently next year. Even though 13 students in this program does not seem like a huge addition to an already moderately sized preschool, the reality has been the office staff has spent far more time working with parents and supporting the teacher which requires time….time which was already in short supply.  This is where planning has really paid off and our contingent plan of hiring a Kindergarten assistant will come to fruition in the new budget year starting in January.  Taking a look at the possibilities of need (Program $$) for new programs before they happen and understanding that it will always cost more than you think it’s going to is wise planning!

     Out of eight staff members this year, three are new to our program and while they bring excellent gifts in teaching early childhood, the way that we have woven relationships between those who are new and those who were returning has been a very positive experience.  We talked last spring as a staff before school dismissed for summer what it was going to feel like to have new folks around the lunch table and how we might all help to make the transition smooth and be a welcoming group.  Over the summer we got together in a social gathering at one staff member’s home to celebrate the summer staff birthdays.  It was a big hit as we got to meet each other over fun, laughter and fellowship before we actually got to work.  Then the teaching teams got together and shared the traditions of the school and classrooms and what new things they as a team they might incorporate as to acknowledge the gifts that new team members brought to the whole.  We then planned to all be present at a new staff meeting time where devotions, curriculum planning and fellowship could happen on a weekly basis.

     I must admit that all has gone well and we are on our way to feeling like a cohesive gifted team!  As a director I intentionally put plans into place for this transition time and now have reaped the benefits. It feels good!  Thanks be to God!

Kris Finley may be reached at KLynnFin@aol.com
 

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