As national attention continues to focus on Mississippi's success in early childhood education, Kossuth Elementary recently welcomed representatives from the Mississippi Department of Education and The Hechinger Report for a firsthand look at high-quality Pre-K instruction in action.
The visit was part of a larger story being developed by The Hechinger Report examining how mathematics is being taught through Mississippi's state-adopted curriculum in Early Childhood programs, including State-Invested Pre-K classrooms and Early Learning Collaboratives.
Dr. Jill Dent, Director of Early Childhood Education for the Mississippi Department of Education, assisted The Hechinger Report in identifying educators whose classrooms could help tell Mississippi's story. As part of that effort, Kossuth Elementary Pre-K teacher Chassey Nelms was selected to share her classroom and instructional practices with reporter Mark Swartz.
Swartz was joined at Kossuth Elementary by Dr. Dent, Regional Director and Pre-K Coach Robin Brand, two additional Pre-K coaches, photographer Andrea Morales, and Kossuth Elementary Assistant Principal Katie Stanford.
During the visit, the group observed Mrs. Nelms as she led an engaging mathematics lesson using Building Blocks, Mississippi's adopted Pre-K mathematics curriculum.
What they witnessed was far more than students simply learning a math concept.
Mrs. Nelms seamlessly connected previously acquired mathematical knowledge with opportunities for fine and gross motor development while also incorporating social-emotional understanding into the learning experience. Her intentional instruction allowed students to actively engage with mathematical concepts while meeting curriculum checkpoints in ways that were meaningful and developmentally appropriate.
Following the observation, Swartz commended Mrs. Nelms for what he described as a “Master Class” in teaching.
Dr. Dent also expressed her appreciation to Mrs. Nelms—not only for the important work taking place in her classroom, but for the intentional and thoughtful way she approaches that work with her students.
The visit provided an opportunity for Kossuth Elementary and the Alcorn School District to contribute to a larger conversation about Mississippi's progress and success in early childhood education.
For ASD, however, the recognition also reflected something much closer to home: the dedication of educators like Mrs. Nelms, whose ability to connect academic learning with the developmental needs of young children helps create meaningful learning experiences every day.
As Mississippi's early childhood education efforts continue to receive attention beyond the state's borders, the Alcorn School District is proud that one of its classrooms was selected to help demonstrate the work happening across the state—and proud of the educator who represented Kossuth Elementary so exceptionally.
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