What people are saying.

  • I was fortunate enough to study the principles of Child Development over the past three years. I was selected by the administration to take part. It was the single most effective professional development I've ever had the privilege to experience. Through the bloom! mentorships, I have grown tremendously as an educator, leader, parent, and individual. I have gained valuable insights about children and my role in their development. I think, and act, differently as a result of this partnership.

    — Sam T. Assistant Principal

  • Studying child development gave me an understanding how to create an environment that gives children a place where they feel safe, comfortable, independent, and confident. Making these changes, changed the behaviors in the room. Children are not in the fight or flight state then. Setting up the space with materials that foster the students questions and interests helps give them a focus. Also helping them understand how to regulate themselves and to be able to talk out their problems. This way I can focus on working one on one with a child when they are struggling. I am able to do observations on my students with little to no interruptions. 

    — Corrin, Teacher 

  • Personally, going through the book studies and the bloom! principles, I have had countless “aha” moments.  Being able to share the experience on the principle and then look at it from a child’s lens is very powerful.   Our foundational beliefs on our Early Learning Center were shaped by the bloom! principles.  We were able to build each detail of our program including classroom environment, outdoor playground, daily operations, teacher roles, parent relationships on those principles.

    — Erica M., District Executive Director

  • I feel more confident in my teaching from studying child development. Once I learned more about how children learn, I was able to get rid of so many practices that were very common in my classroom. Behavior charts, classroom décor, prizes, etc. Stripping down my teaching to simple procedures and basics has been life changing. I am happier, my students are happier, and we all work together to make our classroom the best it can be. We practice procedures, we talk as a team, we talk to each other, we try to solve our problems together. It’s amazing what children can do when you see their potential and allow them to bloom!

    — Jessica Harter, Teacher

  • [We pursued a partnership with bloom! because] our children and teachers deserved it - really! As a school district, we knew the bloom! initiative would elevate the important work being done in our classrooms, honoring our children and their development, while supporting our educators. The opportunity for a mentor to walk alongside our teachers, challenging their thinking, introducing them to new ideas, and empowering them to think critically leads to better outcomes for all children. Our teachers have been empowered to think critically while really seeing the children for who they are and where they are as learners. Our teachers are intentional in the way they honor our children; meeting their intellectual and developmental needs, all while creating rich environments where children can thrive. Our educators feel supported, challenged, and engaged in the work bloom! has offered. 

    — Tonya W. Superintendent

  • Studying child development impacted my student behavior because instead of having consequences that were mindless and nothing to do with the behavior, my students are now correcting the behavior. They are able to see the behavior and immediately fix it. They recognize their own behaviors as well as others and are quick to remind each other about the correct behaviors! I am able to see the child and know the best approach to handling their individual behaviors.

    — Lindsay W. Teacher

  • Bloom! has made me think in a new way, making sure that curriculum and child development are always in the thought process together when planning for childcare’s learning, not just one. 

    — Jamie S., Elementary Curriculum Coordinator