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.

January 28, 2009

Our Time Week 2


FIDDLE-DEE-DEE

WEEK 2

Dear Our Time Parent:

Your home is likely to be filled with more active dog play this week! “Roll over, Rover!” Children love to move–and there’s a reason for this. According to creative dance expert Anne Green Gilbert, “Movement is key to learning! Our brains fully develop through movement activities such as crawling, rolling, turning, walking, skipping, reaching, swinging and much more! The brain has a plan for development that involves specific and intensive motor activities to make full use of our complicated nervous system.”* And when movement is paired with rhythmic and musical concepts, the learning is even stronger.

As we continue to develop the animal theme of Fiddle-dee-dee, you will find that the Kindermusik experience offers infinite opportunities for your child to “play” through the combination of music and movement. Extend this play by engaging your child in some of the play ideas suggested in your Home Activity Book, for example, Who Is In the Doghouse? found on page 5. Enjoy!


*“Movement and Music: The Keys to Learning,” by Anne Green Gilbert

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