At the eye level of a child, the world is a different place. Thelma Pinkston, a 34-year preschool veteran, loves to occasionally catch a glimpse of life through a child’s rose-colored glasses.
“You have to lose your cares and worries when you are with them. They’re contagious,” Pinkston remarked.
Pinkston, along with the teachers, aides and support staff at First Baptist Church, Saks, Child Development Center recently celebrated a day of recognition for their weekday early education programs. Former and current pupils honored the faculty and the church through a dedicatory Sunday morning service. The kindergarten students staged a program, and the church hosted a reception.
Established in September 1967, the child development center began with a kindergarten class that participated in learning during a half-day program. Thirty-four years later, they provide care for children ages two to five.
The center is open from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. During its 34 years of ministry, two things have remained constant at the center: quality care and a devoted staff.
Pinkston, a humble and sincere woman, began her career at the center as a kindergarten teacher in December 1967. During her first year of working, she accepted the role of director.
From 1967 to 1995, Pinkston juggled the roles of teacher and director. With paperwork mounting and state standards tightening, Pinkston decided to remove herself from the classroom and focus solely on her role as director. Every day holds new challenges and requires unusual tasks for the director.
When asked for a routine schedule of a routine day, Pinkston replied with laughter. “What is that?” she asked.
Patti Moore, member of the weekday early education planning committee and mother of a former student, stressed Pinkston’s value to the programs. “She truly has the gift of teaching,” Moore said.
An estimated 2,000 children have walked through the doors of the center, and more than 250 of them participated in the recent reunion. “About a fourth of them I had not seen since they were 5. It was a pleasure to know that they thought enough of the program to come back,” Pinkston said.
She said one of her favorite parts of the program is the enrollment of former students’ children. Knowing that former students were satisfied with the education they received renders a sense of satisfaction for the staff.
Gina Reaves, a member of the 1975 kindergarten class, chose to enroll her two children.
“Mrs. Pinkston is very organized, and she runs a tight ship, but [the kids] also have a lot of fun,” said Reaves. “When kids are that young, they need to learn to like school.”
Reaves recalled a memorable day in kindergarten when Pinkston went beyond her duty to make her feel comfortable. “We were having a picnic, and I forgot to bring my lunch,” she recalled. Pinkston recognized how upset she was and drove her to the nearest store.
The kindergarten teacher bought peanut butter, jelly, bread, chocolate footballs and a banana for Reaves.
“I’ve never had to worry about leaving my children there with Mrs. Pinkston,” said Reaves. “I knew they would be safe there.”
“We want parents to be able to go to work knowing their children are safe, loved and taken care of,” Pinkston shared. “That sounds easy, but if you work with preschoolers you know that you have to have planned curriculum or they’ll plan it for you.”
Bible truths are integrated into every academic lesson. Children focus on a Bible verse for two weeks to a month, depending on age, and every objective within that time period relates to the theme established through the verse. Lessons learned at the center — whether the objective is to learn the letters of the alphabet or to learn about sharing with one another on the playground — relate to the Bible.
Teaching two generations of children, Pinkston has developed a strong opinion concerning youngsters’ fundamental needs. “All children need love, acceptance for who they are, and — it might come as a surprise — discipline,” she said.
Expressing these truths to the teachers at the center is at the core of Pinkston’s job, and her concern for every child’s welfare and moral development remains constant. “The values children absorb will surely flow out,” Pinkston said.
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