Santa Ana College Educator Named California Preschool ...



Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Director, Communications October 9, 2006

Phone: (714) 480-7503 For Immediate Release

E-mail: iannaccone_judy@

Santa Ana College Educator Named

California Preschool Teacher of the Year

(Santa Ana)—Every morning, Susan Wahl, Santa Ana College’s (SAC) Centennial Child Development Center’s (CCDC) assistant director, is greeted with, “Ms. Susan, Ms. Susan!” and the smiling faces of scores of youngsters who bask in her attention. The students never know what to expect from Wahl, but they do know it’ll be fun and, yes, educational. Whether it’s her knack for technology that turns photos of the children into classroom puzzles, her open-ended questions at lunchtime that engage them or her taking her shoes off to exhilarate in the “squish” of a muddy area, she sees every moment as a teachable opportunity.

Wahl has been named the 2006 Story Reader Preschool Teacher of the Year for California. The Story Reader Award is the first and only awards program for preschool educators to solicit nominations at a grassroots level from parents, teachers and administrators. An independent panel of leading educators in early childhood education evaluated the nominees.

“Our entire staff contributed to nominating Susan for this award because of her willingness to help and the inspiring role model that she provides,” said Veronica MacKenney, director of SAC’s CCDC.

The award, presented by Publications International, Ltd., honors creative teaching methods, teachers’ addressing individual student needs, and teachers’ special skills that enhance the educational experience. One winner from each state was selected and four state winners were selected as National Preschool Teachers of the Year. Each of the state-level winners receives a 50-title library of preschool books for the classroom.  

Wahl’s creative approach to early childhood education is demonstrated by her response to a rainy day and its effect on the children. When several children came in from the rain talking about rainbows, Wahl incorporated those images, photos of children, quotes from the children, children’s artwork as well as a scientific explanation of rainbows into a “storyboard.” These

“storyboards” are how Wahl and students regularly document their activities.

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“She is truly sensitive about each child’s needs,” said MacKenney. “She listens to them with respect even if they use a different language. She listens with not only her ears, but with her head and heart.”

In August 1996, Wahl joined the Centennial Child Development Center as assistant director/head teacher where she plans the educational program for 45 two-to-five-year-olds; trains, mentors and supervises student assistants and teachers; conducts parent conferences; and helps promote a positive self-image in children. Prior to that, she was an early childhood teacher for the Green Valley Children’s Center in Placentia.

Wahl earned an Associate in Arts degree in liberal studies from Fullerton College, a B.S. in child development from California State University, Fullerton and a master’s degree in education from California State University, Long Beach. In addition to her role at CCDC, she serves as an assistant professor in human development at Santa Ana College teaching lecture and lab courses in the theory and practice of child development.

She resides in the city of Orange and devotes her free time to training her two Dalmatians for competition in the ring and in agility. Her female Dalmatian has been nationally ranked as the third fastest novice Dalmatian in the country and has earned 4 AKC (American Kennel Club) titles and won first place in show numerous times.

About Rancho Santiago Community College District’s Child Development Centers

Rancho Santiago Community College District operates four child development centers to both serve the needs of the district’s students with childcare and train students seeking a career in human development. The centers are located at Santa Ana College (1720 W. 17th St.), at Centennial Education Center (2900 W. Edinger), at Santiago Canyon College (8045 E. Chapman Ave., Orange) and at the Orange Education Center (1465 N. Batavia, Orange). All the centers are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children as high quality programs. Fees are on a sliding scale according to the parents’ income.

About the Rancho Santiago Community College District

Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of the Rancho Santiago Community College District, which serves the residents of Anaheim Hills, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, and customized training for business and industry.

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