Ms. Elisabeth Bendo serves as lead teacher and Mrs. Tracey German serves as assistant teacher for GSLP’s 2-Day Early Pre-Kindergarten 3 STEAM class.

About Today’s Featured Team

Ms. Bendo: I grew up mostly in Montana. My husband, older daughter, and I moved to Maryland in 2008. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in genetics from Iowa State University and a Master of Science degree in cell and molecular biology from the University of Pennsylvania. My last laboratory research job was working on the genetic expression of melanoma. I became a stay-at-home mom when my older daughter, Zoe, was born. When my younger daughter, Cora, finished her time at GSLP in 2015, I became an assistant teacher at GSLP.

Mrs. German: I have lived in Maryland my entire life. I earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and have taken extensive graduate courses in biomedical science with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology. (More to come later this week - Mrs. German serves on two teaching teams!)

What These Teammates Love About Working at GSLP

Ms. Bendo: I've enjoyed helping children learn at school and gain confidence in their abilities, like putting on their coats, using scissors, and making friends.

Mrs. German: What I enjoy most about working at GSLP is interacting with the children. (More later this week!)

Thank you, Ms. Bendo and Mrs. German! We are glad to have you on the GSLP team!

Training is where every GSLP teacher’s journey begins and is an ongoing part of their professional life.

All GSLP teachers earn a bachelor’s degree before joining our staff. Many even have master’s degrees - we have a well-educated staff! While their original degrees may be in any field - we have people with backgrounds in science, business, art, nursing, literature, and journalism in addition to education - once a person signs on to teach, they begin a course of continuing education specifically in early childhood to complement their original degree.

Most GSLP teachers begin their work at the school as substitute teachers. Our substitute teachers typically join our staff during their time as preschool parents. (In fact, all current GSLP teachers are also current or former preschool parents!) Unless they already have a background in education, usually the next step is to join the ranks of assistant teachers. Working as a substitute and as an assistant teacher allows a person to essentially become an apprentice, learning on the job from our more experienced staff members and becoming prepared to lead a classroom on their own someday.

All lead and assistant teachers take part in annual continuing education. GSLP requires staff members to participate in Maryland’s Child Care Credential program, which sets a higher bar for continuing education and professional activities than the minimum required by child care licensing. All staff members complete 24 hours or more of state-approved training each year, and lead teaching staff are required to work toward acquiring at least 15 college semester hours in education during their first few years on on the job.

Our staff members participate in monthly professional development during staff meetings, both through formal lessons led by the Educational Program Director or trainers and through informal sharing and support from each other. GSLP kicks off this professional development each school year by offering training in CPR or first aid, as shown in the photo here from September 2019. Staff members are also matched up in peer mentoring relationships at the beginning of each school year to provide support and build connections with each other.

Finally, GSLP staff look for opportunities to attend professional conferences together, such as the big National Association for the Education of Young Children conference held in November 2018 in DC. These conferences not only provides the chance to develop knowledge and skills but also inspire and energize staff members for continued work in the classroom.

Each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, GSLP will share one of the many things that make our teachers such special people. We thank all our teachers for their hard work, dedication, and service to the community!