We are so excited for Stevens Early Learning Center’s new school year! As part of this school’s modernization and reopening, we will be featuring different staff members here on our blog. Please meet one of Stevens’ teachers, Erika Blackburn!
How long have you been teaching? This year, I will begin my third year teaching Prek4. My first two years were at Excel Academy, DCPS’s first and only all-girls school. Teaching represents a late career pivot for me. (Edit: Ms. Blackburn’s class will be a mixed-aged classroom for SY20-21.)
What do you love most about the ECE age group? I love teaching four year olds because I enjoy their natural curiosities and joyful energy. I got my PhD in developmental psychology from Cornell University where I studied development at the intersection of social and cognitive development. Teaching prek is an opportunity for me to apply what I’ve learned over the years from a research and evaluation perspective to everyday interactions in support of learning in a prek classroom.
Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? My teaching philosophy is under development, but facilitating authentic learning experiences seems to be emerging as central to my thinking and practice.
What are some of your favorite children’s books? It’s hard to choose my absolute favorite children’s books, but I can say that I revel in the laughs I get when I read Mo Willems’ Piggie and Gerald books; I am fascinated by what children learn about the natural world when I read Dianna Aston’s series about sleepy seeds quiet eggs, and patient butterflies; and I am moved by the thoughtful questions I get when little ones study the righteous and moving illustrations in Kadir Nelson’s books.
What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite children’s book was The best-loved doll. I really appreciated how this sort of worn down doll who couldn’t really “do” anything fancy could have been the most loved doll in a collection.
Any fun facts about yourself? Fun and little known fact – I was scheduled to attend adult mermaid camp this summer in Florida, but it was cancelled due to covid-19. 😦
DCPS School Planning 