Ms. McWain's Pre-K students were in for a big treat today when they arrived at Jones Elementary! As part of their study of all things "Spring" and in honor of Opening Day for Baseball, Tyler Legacy Principal, Mr. Geoffrey Sherman showed up with Red Raider Baseball players Walker Freeman, Camden Howard, Tyler Priest, Landon Miller, Mason Blake and Tye Arden. The students participated in a rousing game of baseball with the team and then got to visit with them and learn more about Tyler Legacy, the players and the game of baseball.
This hands-on experience is not the first for Tyler Legacy and the Pre-K class. The collaboration developed years ago between Mr. Sherman, who is a former Assistant Principal at Jones Elementary, and Ms. McWain a long-time teaching veteran in the Pre-K classroom at Jones. Mr. Sherman kept in touch with the Pre-K class when he moved to be the principal at Hubbard middle school, sending them Hubbard Husky gear, and it grew even further once he was named as principal at Tyler Legacy High School for this fall.
Sherman and McWain saw this as a unique opportunity that would be mutually beneficial for both the high school students and the Pre-K students. According to Ms. McWain, the partnership has "empowered our high school students to lead in serving the community by connecting and sharing their gifts and talents with the Pre-K students." At the same time, it also "offers the Pre-K students real world connections, positive roll models and builds excitement for higher education," she added.
Other collaborations this year have been an exclusive Christmas concert for the Pre-K students performed by the Tyler Legacy band and the Southern Bells drill team. Students were enamored with the instruments and had the opportunity to go on stage and see them up close. In addition, the students were excited to take a field trip to the indoor practice field for Raider Football and learn more about the game when it was Superbowl time. McWain noted that using past tense form is a big developmental milestone goal for their Pre-K students and the students are still talking about their high school friends that they met back in December in February; "it's a BIG deal!," she reflected, "they are building knowledge, learning and friendships, all at the same time. They have loved it and talk about it non-stop!"
When asked for what has driven the the continued partnership, Mr. Sherman answered that Ms. McWain "is an amazing teacher! This is a great opportunity for us to help the students with their learning." The players enjoyed their time just as much as the students. Walker Freeman commented that the Pre-K students are "so active, enthusiastic and involved" that he can't help but have a great time with them. "I just love being around the kids!," said Tye Arden.
To show their thanks for the opportunity to visit, Tyler Raider players presented Ms. McWain's class with a signed game ball, which is now proudly on display on a shelf in the classroom. In return, Pre-K students gave the players baseball themed thank you notes and pictures. These were highly prized by the players, who were proud to receive them and bantered good naturedly about who would get to take them home.
To end their time, the players taught the students their celebration dance for when they complete a great play, with music provided by Mr. Sherman. The students shared a cheer that one of their class members created for Tyler Legacy. "Go Red Raiders!!' the Pre-K kids shouted, to smiles from the players.
They all look forward to further collaborations as the school year ends, and plans are in the works for an extra special partnership to honor former Jones Jaguars who will be graduating from Tyler Legacy High this year. "Crayons to College has a nice ring to it!," said Ms. McWain, when talking about the event. We can't wait to see what these Red Raiders and little Raider fans come up with next!