Reviewed by Mary McLaughlin, M.S. SpEd
The Lisle Park District recently recognized Mary Brock, a teacher at Gentle Learning Preschool in Lisle, Illinois, for her 20 years of dedicated service as a preschool teacher at Gentle.
Mary was nominated by several of her fellow teachers as well as District administrators because of what they described as her “faithful years of hard work and service to the children at Gentle Learning Preschool.” She received an award of recognition during a formal ceremony with family, teachers, administrators, students and students’ parents in attendance.
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Brock earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education as well as her State of Illinois teaching certification. She teaches pre-kindergarten class in the morning, the Kindergarten and Kids Day Out classes in the afternoon, and also teaches several Early Childhood program classes that are offered by the District.
Cheryl Patterson, Brock’s immediate supervisor at Gentle Learning Preschool, commended her for her unique commitment to her kids over the years by saying that for the last 20 years the children of Lisle “have been affected by her creativity and dedication to the Lisle Park District and the Gentle Learning Preschool program.”
One of the primary philosophical strategies employed by the Gentle Learning Preschool is that of learning through playing. Early childhood specialists have in recent years found that children express themselves, solve problems, and develop social skills best through play, and Mary Brock has prided herself on creating new and innovative ways for children to do just that during her time at Gentle.
According to administrators, she has a tremendous understanding of the value that is inherent to providing a curriculum for young children that is “developmentally appropriate” and that prepares them for the subsequent levels of their education.