The New 2025 Wee Warriors Have Arrived

(photo courtesy of WGHS Wee Warriors Facebook)

On Thursday, September 12th, twelve new students in the Wee Warrior program started their educational journey here at Walnut Grove.
by Corynne Cox and Rylee Watson

This year Mrs. Swope and Mrs. Sparks take on a new challenge of producing and building future educators who are passionate about teaching, As well as, creating a love for learning within each Wee Warrior a part of the program. This year’s theme in the preschool is Where the wild things are inspired from the story book written by Maurice Senda. Mrs. Sparks and Mrs. Swope spent hours creating a positive and interactive learning environment for the children. Both teachers agree that having a good learning environment is important. Mrs. Sparks believes, "Creating a preschool environment must be designed by allowing children to grow their learning abilities and we (teachers) add in different centers or opportunities to have hands-on learning and an environment able to be used for play, relaxation, and also a safe space for all the kids and student teachers.”

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​Mrs. Swope added, "...student teachers should rise above standards with their grades, how they interact with our little ones, and how they interact with each other. They should always put their best foot forward.” This year Mrs. Swope and Mrs. Sparks have many goals they want to accomplish within the new Wee Warriors and the student teachers.

Mrs. Swope hopes for, "...the student teachers to understand how to make advanced lessons, how to work with others and little people and how to modify lessons to make them more challenging for the kids, who are excelling above their grade level. I would like student teachers to understand the value that a teacher has and fall in love with it.”
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Mrs. Sparks shares what expectations she is aiming "...for student teachers to become real leaders. I want them to learn to take initiative with children and children’s behaviors and how to adapt to different learning environments. Another thing I want our teachers to learn is learning how meet kids where they are, whether that's emotionally or academically.”

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Many students taking ECE have been preparing lesson plans and choosing books to read to get ready for this new year. Payton Scott (10), “We plan a week before they come, and we assess them to see where they are at academically.” Libby Rowe (9) adds, “We start by making lesson plans, learning the kids' names and [appearance] and learning different teaching styles.”

Kimberly Marban-Casarrubias (10) enjoy being in ECE because they get the opportunity to have the responsibilities of upholding a classroom environment and learning new skills along the way. Miss Marban-Casarrubias (10) also adds, “It is super fun, and it is not like any other class.”

Many students involved in ECE share their thoughts on how they would motivate other students, who attend Walnut Grove, to join the ECE program. Libby Rowe (9) explains, “ECE can help with social situations. I have had to work with a lot of people and it has made me a more open person.”

​Another student teacher; Carly Mull(9) adds, ”If you have thoughts about wanting to join, you have to have good time management, because it is a lot of work, but it is very fun. You get to be very social in this class.” 
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Student teachers express the many benefits received from being a part of the ECE program at WG. Payton Scott (10) enjoys “...teaching the little kids and seeing their personalities grow throughout the school year.” Miss Rowe (9) appreciates,“... all my friends are in ECE, and I love [my teachers]. I also like learning about being a teacher because that is what I want to be when I grow up.” 

​Both Mrs. Sparks and Mrs. Swope truly admire all the students who are going or have been through the ECE program and grew true potential to become a future educator. These two teachers have inspired many students to continue their education and become outstanding teachers who will be able to share their passion about teaching.
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This year's latest Wee Warrior’s will have just begun their love for learning and developing new skills in and out of the preschool located here at WG.