Schools
Meet St. Pius X Teacher Loretta Stenson
Meet this St. Pius X teacher who started off as a third-grade teacher but found her true calling in pre-kindergarten.
Marple Newtown Patch is featuring great teachers in the Marple Newtown area who deserve some spotlight. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do. Meet this teacher who started off teaching third grade but found her true calling in pre-kindergarten.
Name: Loretta Stenson
School:
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Grade/Subject: Pre-K (3- and 4-year olds)
Years in the Industry: 28
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Teaching History:
After graduating from Neumann College, I taught third grade for six years at St. Margaret’s School in Narberth. I left to raise my five children and returned to teaching for Mrs. Alverda Hynes of the Alverda Hynes Nursery School in Newtown Square for a period of two years. In 1993, I secured a position at St. Pius X School in the pre-k and have been there since that time.
What do you like most about your job?
The children that I teach are what I like most about my job. No two classes and no two children are ever the same. Each child brings something special and unique to the pre-k. Each child has his or her own gifts to share with the class. The little ones are so open and sincere. I love being planted in the middle of all their goodness.
Also, I have met many wonderful people during my teaching career. Our principal, Sr. Diane Licordare, I.H.M., and staff at St. Pius are so supportive. Many of them have become dear friends. The pre-k and kindergarten staff consists of (pre-k) and Mrs. Loughry, Mrs. Vogel and Mrs. Bradley, and my two wonderful aides, Mrs. Hamburger and Mrs. Javage, and (kindergarten) Mrs. Azarian, and Mrs Macaulay. These teachers and aides are second to none. We work closely together and make a good team.
Why did you become a teacher?
From the time I was in grade school, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Maybe it was the wonderful teachers that I had whose example and dedication planted the seed of becoming an educator in my mind. When I entered college and began studying education courses, I knew definitely that teaching was for me. For one of my early childhood courses, the teacher brought in several children from the daycare center at Neumann College. I presented a lesson to the little ones and I knew early childhood was the direction for me.
What do you like best about your current school (projects, programs or activities that your school is a part of):
St. Pius x School offers a number of activities to the entire preschool population in the surrounding areas. We hold a pre-k gathering called “Cub Club” in the evening several times a years for ages 18 months to 4 years of age. During “Cub Club,” the teachers read a book, sing a group song, prepare a craft and then serve a snack. We also hold a mini fair in January called “” for young children.
Personally, I mostly enjoy the Christmas Tea that my 3-year-old students hold every year for all their moms. The children bake cookies, make gingerbread men, sing Christmas songs and make a special craft for their parents. It’s a fun morning for children and adults and the moms have time to get to know each other.
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