Early Childhood Educator

                       
Smokey Nielsen B.A., M.Ed.
Phone: 952.431.8340
Voicemail: 651.683.6969 Ext. 94927
Building: Early Childhood Learning Center, Apple Valley

About Me
I’m Smokey Nielsen, an Early Childhood teacher with Early Childhood Family Education. I currently teach in the Green Room at the Early Childhood Learning Center in Apple Valley. I enjoy teaching both ECFE classes and my afternoon Bridge to School preschool class.

I grew up in Columbia Heights, MN and received my B.A. Degree in Education from Augsburg College. I taught kindergarten for five years in both Minnesota and California. I stayed home with my children when they were young and then I went back to Augsburg College and received my Early Childhood degree. I worked at private nursery school before joining the staff at ECFE. I received a Master’s degree from St Mary’s University in 2000. Since then I have taken classes at Hamline University and started working on a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education at St Thomas.

Family Education holds a very special place in my heart. To be able to spend one’s day on a young child’s level, seeing the world through their eyes, singing silly songs, reading the same book over and over because it is their favorite, blowing bubbles, giving and receiving hugs. What better job could a person have? Thank you for sharing your families with me!

Philosophy
In my classroom I want each of my students and their parents to know that they are important to me and important to the class. I feel all children come to class with their own unique characteristics. I need to accept each child as he/she is today with a vision for their future. I work to provide an environment that sparks an interest in each student. I want my students to feel good about themselves, to take safe risks, to feel they can try new things, and to know it is OK to make mistakes. I emphasize that we all are a community of learners and we learn to truly care about each other.

Topics to Grow On

Reading to Babies, Toddlers and Young Children

Tips for Traveling by Car with Young Children

Tips for Traveling by Car with an Infant

Children and Nature