MOUNT VERNON – Itinerant (noun) A person who travels from place to place (Oxford Dictionary).
The mission of itinerant teachers at the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) Preschool takes them wherever they are needed to meet the special needs of the very young.
“Itinerant teachers are intervention specialists,” said Jackie Nutt, director of the preschool that serves 3- to 5-year-olds. “They deal with a wide range of issues, ranging from adaptive behavior deficit and academic deficit to a child’s lack of social communication skills and a lack of interactivity with peers.
“They support classroom teachers by working to develop IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans) for children who need a plan for success.”
Nine itinerant teachers serve children at the Knox ESC Preschool sites in Mount Vernon, Centerburg, East Knox and Fredericktown.
They also are contracted to work with Knox Head Start children and students at local private and parochial preschools, including St. Vincent, Esther Jetter at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the Mount Vernon YMCA.
“Itinerant simply means traveling is part of our job,” said veteran teacher Liz Springer. “We work to develop children’s social skills and support other goals.
“We write IEPs, work with occupational and speech therapists and case manage all students in the program.”
Today’s 3-year-olds were born in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Some have experienced very little social activity outside their homes.
“One of the biggest challenges we face are behavioral issues,” said teacher Hayley Hardcastle. “Every child we meet is a different story.”
Springer agreed.
“We play with kids one-to-one. Most people have no idea how much is involved in helping kids develop social skills,” she said. “Our visits help a child learn those skills, including how to sit on the carpet during classroom lessons, how to stand in line and take turns.”
Ronda Beheler, preschool special education director, said emphasis is on working closely with parents.
“A lot of our parents want to help their children but they aren’t sure how. Some work two jobs. They’re doing the best they can do,” Beheler said. “If a parent thinks their child might have a disability – doesn’t talk that much, can’t understand things – they can contact our preschool. We can conduct screenings and evaluations.”
Teacher Robi Magabe leads a parent support group that meets regularly.
The sessions are open to all parents.
“Our goal is to help children with special needs have the same classroom opportunities as other students,” she said. “We use different strategies to achieve that goal.”
Virtually all of the itinerant staff have stories of successful interaction with their young charges. Ellie Hughes is among them.
“We want to see a child meet or exceed goals,” Hughes said. “I worked with a child who was still in a baby carrier at age 3. That child can now stand and hold onto something and play.”
Nutt summarized the work of the itinerant staff, in conjunction with classroom teachers, to prepare preschoolers for kindergarten.
“Our itinerant teachers help children create independence by carrying out tasks on their own,” she said. “It’s a process to help our youngest students become independent and successful.”
For more information contact the Knox ESC Preschool at 740-393-6980, ext. 233.