Chronicles of Aunty Gloria

by Anne Mitson

 

    Gloria Yoshikawa is the Home Base Maile teacher. Gloria's home is on the North Shore of Oahu where she lives with her husband Mike and two sons Brian and Jason. Gloria has been a Head start teacher since January 1997.

    Gloria has developed her Home Base curriculum into a rich tapestry of activities that are developmentally appropriate and are based on the Creative Curriculum, Head Start Performance Standards and the Head Start Outcomes Framework. As well as working with the families once a week Gloria leaves activities for the families to complete with the child during the week. The children and families in Home Base Maile develop a strong connection with their child's education because of their involvement in the program.

    One family Gloria was working with in the 06/07 school year has a child that needed a liver transplant. Gloria coordinated services through the Head Start nurse, Special Educator and Family Advocate. One of the team members reported that they were able to work so well together because of the communication between Gloria and other team members was so great. Everybody was kept informed continually.

    On In school year 07/08 although Gloria was assigned to a different area, she requested to keep servicing the child within her group. The child was getting his transplant and she wanted to continue to provide support to the family. When the child left for the mainland for his transplant, Gloria provided warm clothes for the mother and the child. Gloria also collected things from other staff members and had them delivered to the child on the mainland. When dad joined them for the actual surgery Gloria sent him up with a warm coat as well.

    Throughout the child's hospitalization, Gloria sent activities, books and lesson plans every two weeks. Mom had Gloria's cell phone so Gloria was able to provide support to mom through the whole ordeal. The operation was a success and the child returned to Hawaii.

    The family resumed their Home base participation. At the end of the school year, the Transition Specialist and the Special Educator helped Gloria get the child enrolled into his local school with home tutoring until Christmas. The hope was he can go back to school in January. Gloria went with mom and supported her through the whole process. With Gloria's services as a Head Start teacher ending, mom said that she is now confident that she can continue to get the best possible educational experiences for her child.