Dear Preschool Parents,

  I want to welcome you to what I hope to be an exciting school year. I am very happy to have the opportunity to teach your child and to work collaboratively with you and your family. I plan on working incredibly hard with your child on their individual IEP goals and objectives. I am passionate about helping your child to be successful in everything that they pursue.

  I want to let you know a few things about myself. I grew up in Alexandria, VA with my parents, brother, and two sisters. I have my teaching license in Emotional and Learning Disabilities K-12 and an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education. I also received my Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders.  I taught in Fairfax County’s Preschool Autism Class for four years and for two years I was the teacher for the Preschool Autism Class for Richmond Public Schools. This is my fifth year teaching here in Hopewell. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband Patrick, friends, family, and two cats Jacob and Wyatt.

  Ms. Antonette Harris is our wonderful teaching assistant. She has years of experience working with children in the Head Start class and is passionate about making the classroom a fun and educational place for your child. In her free time she loves to shop and dance.

  Ms. Kori Harrow is our Speech and Language Therapist. She has been working in this field for four years. She does an excellent job incorporating a variety of fun activities when working with your child on increasing their receptive and expressive language skills. In her free time Ms. Harrow enjoys exercising and reading. 

Our class will use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach your child. ABA looks at breaking skills down into systematic steps and using reinforcement to increase the future likelihood of a behavior occurring again. Your child’s school day will consist of breakfast, play, circle time, centers, group activities, lunch, art, and creative movement. I will work to incorporate your child’s goals and objectives into every classroom activity. Major components of the class will be communication and behavior modification. I feel that teaching children to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and feelings is one of my most important jobs and that once they have the power to communicate they are able to accomplish much more in life.

I will be sending home a daily communication sheet that will let you know about your child’s day and provide additional information to you. I see you as an integral part of your child’s education and I hope that we can work together to be consistent between home and school. If you would like to learn more about ABA or about your child’s class please let me know.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to talk with me further about your child and their educational program please contact me at 804-541-6414 or msingletary@hopewell.k12.va.us  I look forward to working with you and your child this school year.

Best wishes, Meredith Singletary