Basics
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Our Teachers
Laurie Ware, Director Laurie graduated from Western New Mexico University in Silver City with her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. In 2012, she minored in Geology with a TESOL endorsement. In 2015, Laurie received a MAT in Reading Education and later in 2021 an EDL Certification in Educational Leadership. She is a licensed Principal in New Mexico and Colorado. She has been married for 28 years and has three adult children living in New Mexico and Colorado and loves to visit her granddaughter in CO as often as she can.
Darlene Sanchez, Manager Darlene has been with the center since its opening. She is alos a ECE teacher and works with all classes here at the Center. Miss Darlene, as our families lovingly refer, is a beloved member of the Center family.
Flor Gandara-Vega, Roadrunners (ages 4-5) Flor is working on a degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and in her courses is completing with honors. She is first working toward the Associates of Arts and her Major is in Early Childhood Mulit-cultural Education and will be transitioning into a Bachelor’s ECE program in the fall.
Ms. Jean (Jackrabbits: ages 24 - 48 months) Ms. Jean has been with the Center since November of 2023. She is currently taking courses with the 45 Hour Entry Level with Quorum and ECECD certifications. She will begin ECE courses at CNM in the summer of 2023.
Ali Christensen (Reptiles: ages 6-10) Ali grew up in Alamogordo, NM. Her husband is a PhD candidate here at New Mexico Tech. Ali is our wonderful afterschool program teacher and now works with Ms. Jean in the mornings with our Jackrabbits.
Philosophy
At the Children’s Center, our philosophy is to provide the best possible environment for the care, education, and development of your child/children. We believe that your child/children are entitled to the best that modern knowledge makes available about the education, care and guidance of children.
Our philosophy is expressed in a curriculum that encourages:
Programs that are designed to be different, flexible, and encourage active hands-on learning because all children are unique with individual skills and interests;
Freedom and opportunity to develop physical, cognitive, and social skills at a child’s own pace;
Warm relationships with adults that give children a feeling of support while they develop a sense of self-worth and independence; and
Consistent and understanding adult guidance, which supports needs, yet limits actions and promotes a child’s gradual growth towards responsibility and well being.
We like to call the environment of each classroom and our outdoor learning spaces the “third teacher in the classroom”. We are currently in the process of beginning our journey for NAEYC accreditation.
Location
NMT Children’s Center is located on Leroy Place Socorro, NM.
About our program
The Children’s Center mission is to complement the service and education objectives of the university by:
Providing education, care, and nurturing for the children of students, staff, faculty, and community members;
Utilizing culturally and developmentally appropriate practices; and
Serving as a role model of childcare excellence for the community at large.