Staff Storytime Inspires Creekside Team

A new monthly tradition at Creekside Early Childhood School is bringing teachers and staff back to their “why.” And all it requires is a little storytelling. 

Called “Our Story,” the idea was inspired by a book study led by Creekside’s Building Leadership Team (BLT) earlier this school year. Ever since reading “Lead From Where You Are” by Joe Sanfelippo, the group has been inviting a different Creekside parent into their monthly staff meetings. Their ask: Speak to the whole staff for just a few minutes about the positive impact the people in our school have had on your child and your family.

“It’s been inspiring,” reflected Creekside Principal Todd Hartman. “It just propels the positive work that teachers and staff are already doing with our kids.”

Beyond the traditional events and volunteer opportunities that parents see come across in the school’s communications, Hartman and his team wanted to offer up a more unique experience - one that encouraged two-way communication and was also a source of encouragement to all staff. 

“Sometimes communication with parents can be more one direction from school to home,” Hartman said. “And that’s okay in some cases, but this gives parents a chance to speak to us and encourage our staff. It really gives them a voice.” 

This month’s special visitor was Samantha Rodmaker, a parent to both a Creekside kindergartner and second grader. In less than five minutes, she shared her family’s experience with Creekside, referring to the school as a “giant home” to both of her children, Theo and Charlotte. Rodmaker was especially complimentary of the team’s patience in welcoming her son to Creekside this year, acknowledging the challenges associated with his autism diagnosis. 

“Sending Theo to school was a big thing for us and I was really really nervous,” Rodmaker recalled. “But you guys have brought such peace in knowing that he’s in a secure environment. He’s safe. He’s happy. He loves being here and that is just what you guys do here. You create a community.” 

She went on to praise the staff for going beyond academics and focusing on “the whole child.” She shared that she sees evidence of this in small ways every day - like the way Theo says, “It’s OK, friend” and even the way Charlotte talks about perseverance at home. 

A former educator herself, Rodmaker also expressed to the roomful of teachers and staff how much it has meant to her to be welcomed with open arms as a volunteer in the building. “You’ve made it possible for me to continue teaching and doing what I love,” she said. “I just thank you guys so much for being so open and willing to include us as parents.”

With the goal of sharing a wide variety of family experiences, Hartman and his team remain focused on inviting guests who represent all different connections to Creekside. This includes a grandparent who is the primary caregiver to a Creekside Cub and is scheduled to come in next month. So far, they have welcomed others who were able to speak to their experiences as an involved PTO parent or even students at different grade levels or with different cognitive abilities, for example. 

“The messages our families share with our team at Creekside are extremely powerful because they remind us why we went into this profession and the difference we get to make each day,” Hartman said. 

View the Fox19 news story featuring Creekside’s new “Our Story” initiative.