ROSELAND — Hundreds of students have passed through the doors at Roseland Christian Preschool over the last 15 years, fulfilling a mission its partner church, Roseland United Methodist, embarked upon in early 2001.
Their first teacher was Stephanie Herrera, who along with the school’s first director taught 16 young students. She is now the director and oversees 12 teachers and more than 100 children.
“I love it just as much today” as the first day, Director Herrera said. “Before, I was responsible for my little world in the classroom. Now, I’m responsible for everyone’s little world.”
Her passion for the students and the school is contagious. Long-time teacher Julie Sutton lit up as she recalled her 11 years serving at the school.
“It’s the most fabulous place to work,” Sutton said, adding that the school has seen its ups and downs over the last 15 years – but it’s currently on one of the ups. “I hope it always stays that way.”
Sutton started as a Roseland Christian Preschool parent, sending two children through the stepping-stone program. When her then-youngest graduated to Kindergarten, she was approached to be a teacher – an offer she readily accepted.
For two years, she taught at the school, and then she became pregnant with her third child. And while she worked until the day before her baby arrived, Sutton ultimately took a couple years off to tend to her family.
But, when her baby turned 2, the school called again – wondering if she’d like to come back and teach the youngest of the students, the 2-year-olds.
Timing could not have been more perfect, Sutton said, explaining she was able to go back to work and bring her child with her.
Over the years, she’s taught at each level.
“The twos are adorable,” Sutton said of the youngest students. The threes – you can see their brains absorb their lessons and watch those “a-ha” moments.
The fours, she said, build on the lessons from previous years and develop more skills – like using scissors and even skipping. She said you get to experience the students’ “I did it!” moments and watch them grow and evolve into little people.
While the school is sponsored by Roseland United Methodist and accredited through the United Methodist Association of Preschools, all students regardless of faith are accepted, making it a non-denominational school. Teachers provide students with an academic curriculum that includes colors, letters, numbers and other traditional subjects.
But they also provide Bible lessons and prayer. Sutton said that, for some students, the school is the only place where they get a Bible education.
“They know they can count on us,” she said – that they can feel safe, feel loved, and be comfortable enough to share their worries and ask for prayer.
The sense of community the teachers foster in the students extends to the families. The school often hosts events for the parents – including the “Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Breakfast” on the first day of school, open houses, and even family appreciation days.
Director Herrera is also working to bring families in for special parent training – teachers will be attending a continuing education course later this month on Conscious Discipline. Herrera plans to book a facilitator to share the training with parents to help those seeking ways to support what’s being done in the classroom.
Roseland Christian is the only faith-based preschool serving northern Indian River County, most others are located in Vero Beach. As such, the school’s student population is essentially maxed out and often has a waiting list for the various classes.
“It’s a dream,” Herrera said. “The Lord sends all the children, but we don’t have space for the kids.”
To that end, Herrera is looking to the future and the possibility of relocating the school to a larger facility to accommodate more students.
“We have no where to go, no where to grow” at the church, Herrera said, adding that the school has enjoyed and continues to enjoy a friendly relationship with Roseland United Methodist – but it is a very busy church with no more space to provide for classrooms.
“The Lord has to have a plan” for growth, Herrera said, adding, “I have a plan, but it’s up to the Lord.”