Cristi Wood

cwood@socs.k12.in.us

812-828-6000, ext 8102

My name is Cristi Wood and I teach Pre K at McCormick's Creek Elementary. This is my first year teaching in Spencer Owen County Schools but I have taught Preschool/Pre K since 2014. I served as a Developmental Therapist for First Steps in 2004-2014. I have enjoyed working with young children my entire life and I have learned so much about Early Childhood Education from the trainings I have completed , my students and my coworkers. I can't imagine me doing anything else except preparing a group of four and five year olds for Kindergarten. At this age they love to learn and experience new things. As their educator it is my duty to make sure they continue the love of education beyond Pre K. I want to be the person that makes them eager to learn not just in Pre K but in their future grades.

I believe students learn through play. They need to get a little dirty and discover real materials hands on. I focus on teaching my students how to be interested in the world around them and that they can learn by playing with real learning materials. I am always changing toys and centers to fit their interests. Even in our small and large groups we learn by playing. I feel that kids learn best out of a chair and coming in contact with materials that the world has made for them to discover. I hope every student of mine continues to learn about the world by going outside and experiencing learning in real and meaningful environments.