Local Educator is a Maestro of Early Childhood Education

Shawna Gordon has been named a Maestro to the Mezzanine level of studios and also as a Maestro in Outreach by Kindermusik International for the third year in a row, the world's leading publisher of music and movement programs.

Gordon is the owner and an early childhood specialist at the Kindermusik of Lincoln studio. Gordon teaches Kindermusik in both Kindermusik of Lincoln studios (Christ's Place Church and East Lincoln Christian Church). The Maestro Mezzanine award recognizes that Shawna has achieved excellence in both Maestros in Outreach, teaching Kindermusik to children with special needs and as a Maestro Producer, ranking in the top 5% of Kindermusik programs worldwide in reaching the most children.

"The Kindermusik Maestro has a mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential," said Michael Dougherty, CEO at Kindermusik International.

Shawna is one of 5,000 licensed educators in the world who use Kindermusik's music and movement curricula. Shawna Gordon began providing Kindermusik in 1999. Today, Shawna teaches the music and movement learning program to 120 plus families from Lincoln and surrounding communities.

Shawna has added an additional studio and met the needs of her families by increasing the amount of classes offered. Her outreach includes a percentage of her studio offered in scholarships, leading an Excite class of preschoolers once a week and a commitment to work with Sudanese immigrant children as their parents learn to read and speak English through the Lincoln Literacy Council.

"I am passionate about what music can offer children in terms of an additional means of learning language, reading, the social interaction our classes offer and an environment that parents and children can play and learn together! The recognition from Kindermusik International affirms the pursuit of my dream!" said Gordon.

The Maestro Program recognizes licensed Kindermusik educators who master one of three levels in early childhood development: fast-growing programs, outstanding community service, or teaching excellence.

August 20, 2008

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn


Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school--he wants to stay home with his mother. She assures him that he'll love school--with its promise of new friends, new toys, and new books. Even better, she has a special secret that's been in the family for years--the Kissing Hand. This secret, she tells him, will make school seem as cozy as home. She takes her son's hand, spreads his tiny fingers into a fan and kisses his palm--smack dab in the middle: "Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart." Whenever he feels lonely at school, all he has to do is press his hand to his cheek to feel the warmth of his mother's kiss. Chester is so pleased with his Kissing Hand that he--in a genuinely touching moment--gives his mom a Kissing Hand, too, to comfort her when he is away. Audrey Penn's The Kissing Hand, published by the Child Welfare League of America, is just the right book for any child taking that fledgling plunge into preschool--or for any youngster who is temporarily separated from home or loved ones. The rough but endearing raccoon illustrations are as satisfying and soothing for anxious children as the simple story. (Ages 5 and older)

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