Lifesteps' teacher takes pride in accomplishments of students
BUTLER TWP — The students in pre-kindergarten look forward to spending the day with their teacher “Miss Terrie,” who has worked with children at Lifesteps for 23 years.
During those years, teacher Terrie Lunn has had an impact on more than 1,500 children.
Lifesteps, a nonprofit agency, has served the community since 1923.
It was previously affiliated with Easter Seals before establishing its own organization.
The agency continues to fulfill its duties using more than 600 employees.
Lunn took the nontraditional student route to her rewarding career, opting to go back to college while raising her children.
After graduating high school, she went to Villa Maria in Erie for a year.
When her boyfriend returned from Vietnam, she dropped out of school and got married.
She worked at a greenhouse, interested in nurturing plants.
She also raised two children during that time.
But when he second child was a toddler, she began to attend night classes.
Lunn came to Lifesteps after receiving her degree from Slippery Rock University.
She has been teaching young children there ever since.
One of the major changes since Lunn began teaching, she said, has been integrated classrooms.
Children with special needs now are integrated with other children.
Each child benefits through social integration and learning social skills that will be needed as they get older.
There are two classes in the morning and one in the afternoon. Class sizes are typically 15 to 17 children.
“We look at all the child's development areas and instruct to their needs and strengths,” Lunn said.
Lifesteps' Early Childhood Education Centers nurture and develop each child's leadership, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, she said.
Lifesteps provides “Generations of Care,” offering services such as free child developmental and autism screenings; Early Education Centers for children of all abilities; services for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, such as day programs, community homes and life sharing/family living.Lifesteps' preschools develop individualized plans for each child.Teachers challenge students to reach beyond their capabilities to develop, explore and grow, so they are prepared for a lifelong experience of learning.“When we are teaching colors it doesn't mean everyone is matching colors. One child could be matching colors, another naming colors and others could be recognizing the color word. It's all about providing learning experiences to meet each child's needs, capabilities and interests,” Lunn said.“Integration of typical children wasn't part of our program when I first started. At the beginning, all of my students had special needs.“Some were physical disabilities, some had a mental health diagnosis and now we have integrated classrooms with typical children. Lifesteps was one of the pioneers of adopting integrated classrooms.”Today, “Miss Terrie's” classes include children from child care, the Intermediate Unit IV, private pay families and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, which provides a free learning program for children and families who may have challenges due to income, language, cultural and/or special needs.Lunn said she has a love and a respect for education and the children who she is privileged to teach.She says her biggest accomplishment is that she was able to put her “thumb print” on each and every one of them.“Making a difference in their lives is really important to me. When I read in the paper that someone is going to the Naval Academy, made states for wrestling or got engaged, I'm full of pride. It's interesting to be in a small town and follow their lives,” she said.“I'm proud of their accomplishments.”
<B>LUNN FILE</B><B>Name:</B> Terrie Lunn<B>Address:</B> Center Township<B>Employment: </B>Preschool teacher, Early Childhood Education Center<B>Education: </B>Bachelor’s in elementary education from Slippery Rock University and certification in early childhood development also from SRU<B>Family: </B>Husband, Francis; son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Tina; daughter, Celeste; four grandchildren<B>Interests: </B>Member of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Center Township School PTO, Butler Thunder Soccer Booster; Butler Midget football fan; flower gardener‘At the beginning all of my students had special needs ... Lifesteps was one of the pioneers of adopting integrated classrooms.’<B>LIFE LESSONS</B>Terrie Lunn, preschool teacher at Lifesteps, offers these tips for improving the quality of life in Butler County.• Invest in children so they can experience educational achievements, become responsible citizens, assist in building a strong community and parent the next generation successfully. Our children are our long-term future.• 3- and 4-year-olds are like sponges. Don’t underestimate the influence that you and others have on children.• To be a good educator you also need to be a good student. A community of lifelong learners makes us strong and prosperous.• Be accepting of support from family and local community resources. “Everybody can benefit from help at times in their life.”• I always tell parents: “Nobody knows your child better than you. Don’t ever feel that you’re not the engine moving this life forward.”<B>ON THE JOB</B><B>Name:</B> Lifesteps<B>Address: </B>Butler Central Office, 383 New Castle Road<B>Top official: </B>Karen Sue Owens, president/chief executive officer<B>What it does: </B>Lifesteps helps individuals and families with life’s changing needs. It has program locations throughout Western Pennsylvania. It serves children, families, adults with special needs and seniors to grow, to be independent, and to have confidence and dignity.<B>People served: </B>7,000 during the past year<B>Employees:</B> 613 full- and part-time staff and 60 long-term volunteers<B>How to contact</B>: www.Lifesteps.net, Info@life steps.net or 800-225-2010<B>Mission statement: </B>Helping individuals and families with life’s changing needs by developing programs and providing services which will improve their quality of life.<B></B><B>BUSINESS INSIGHT</B>Terrie Lunn, preschool teacher at Lifesteps, offers these tips for being successful in her field.• Be a lifelong learner. “I have spent my life always learning. After 20 years I went back to school to get my add-on Early Childhood Certificate. I continually attend seminars, workshops and classes, but returning to a university setting was challenging yet refreshing.”• Be a collaborator/partner. “No one agency can do it all. Lifesteps partners with so many other great agencies that assist our families in finding and accessing services and programs that will support and benefit them.”• Be consistent. “Part of the success is the consistency and routine in the classroom. The children feel secure and confidence grows. It becomes a pleasant and positive experience for them.”• Be flexible and welcome change. “I can’t be the same educator I was 20 years ago. Best practices in early education are not the same.”• Stay grounded. “I’ve had experiences in my personal life where I needed to access services from other agencies throughout the community. This journey has taught me to stay focused on what is important in my life and to make every day count for myself, my family and the children I have the privilege to teach and guide.”
