Teacher Award Honoree Ms. Christine David Credits Success to Thinking Like a Child

Our team at The Malvern School is incredibly proud that six of our teachers from across various school locations have been recognized as recipients of the 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Awards in honor of their dedication, expertise and commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences. This blog is part of a Q&A series that will spotlight each of the awardees.

For Ms. Christine David, Get Set Lead Teacher at The Malvern School of Erial, educating young children is personal. Inspired by her own experiences as a young student and always remembering to think like a child, Christine pours her heart, soul and a whole lot of creativity into helping toddlers build a love of learning.

That’s just one of the many reasons Christine was recognized from among teachers across the country with the 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award. We sat down with Christine to learn more about her approach to teaching and why she chose to dedicate her career to early childhood education.

TMS: What drives you and your approach to teaching?

CD: What drives me is knowing I’m making a positive difference in a child’s life. It’s such a joy watching a toddler’s face light up with excitement when they reach a milestone such as going potty for the first time. Knowing that I helped them in achieving that goal is awesome!

TMS: What’s your secret to success in the classroom?

CD: My secret to success is to make transition time fun. I always keep one of The Malvern School’s Core Values, “Think like a child,” particularly top of mind. I plan fun and creative ways for the children to transition smoothly from one activity to the next. We may play “I Spy” to make picking up toys fun or we may take giant steps from the Discovery Room to our classroom door. Having fun and creative transitions helps to establish classroom routines and minimizes negative behaviors.

TMS: Why did you choose to dedicate your career to early childhood education?

CD: Early learning is so important for young children because it gives them a head start towards their future. Research has shown that educating children in the early years also helps to build their love for learning. I chose to dedicate my career to early childhood education because I remember, as a child, how my teachers used creative approaches to learning. They made learning so much fun for me. I wanted to share that same experience with my students and make a positive impact in their lives.

TMS: What does being a recipient of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award mean to you?

CD: Being a recipient of the Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award has motivated me to become a better teacher. I’m more passionate about teaching and I am eager to apply innovative teaching ideas in the Get Set classroom. It is truly an honor to have been chosen to receive this award.

Learn more about all of The Malvern School’s 2021 Terri Lynne Lokoff Teacher Award recipients here.