Transitional Kindergarten

Meet the TK Team:

Ms. Dalziel

Megan Dalziel is overjoyed to be teaching TK at WISH! Ms. Dalziel earned her BA degree with a concentration in special education and teaching credential from Loyola Marymount University. She decided to become a teacher because she wanted to make a positive and lasting impact on as many young lives as possible. Her favorite subjects to teach are social studies and writing because she loves helping students learn about making the world a better place and loves the development and growth of writing in TK! In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, and relaxing at the beach. She thinks WISH is the best place to work because of the amazing and collaborative efforts to support all learners!

Ms. Baker

Hello Everyone! My name is Cassandra Baker and I am originally from Fresno, CA where I graduated from Fresno Pacific University with my Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Credential. I also graduated last year with my Master’s in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, going to the beach, going to Disneyland, and relaxing at home with my two dogs! I look forward to continuing to work with this amazing and devoted community of families, students, and educators!

Ms.Cate

Ms. Cate earned a BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. She taught preschool for ten years and when her kids (both WISH students) got older, she went back to school to earn an MA and credential in Special Education from Alder Graduate School of Education. Miss Cate loves teaching at an inclusive school because everyone has the freedom to learn in their own way! As a WISH parent herself, she sees how family partnerships benefit the entire community. She loves to teach students how to read. Because literacy impacts every subject, Ms. Cate is dedicated to creating a fun learning environment and fostering a love for reading in all of her students. In her free time, she enjoys reading, swimming and going to concerts! She loves WISH because she can be a part of groundbreaking best practices and research!

Learn more about the TK program:

Transitional Kindergarten is a specially designed kindergarten program. The TK curriculum is based on Kindergarten Content Standards from the California Department of Education. Students are exposed to and/or master kindergarten standards in TK. Students are expected to enroll in kindergarten the following school year.

The areas of self-concept and self-esteem are not addressed in the California Content Standards but are heavily emphasized in Transitional Kindergarten. The areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History-Social Science, Physical Education, and Visual and Performing Arts are the foundation of the curriculum. Our daily schedule consists of whole group instruction and activities, small group instruction, as well as independent activities and free choice centers. Everyday students spend an hour in small groups moving through four centers: Writing, Math, Reading, and Independent Choice, as they are individually instructed by their co-teachers and explore different peer groups.

We extend our learning with vocal chorus, music reading lessons, and library opportunities, and regular experiences in the computer lab. Students also plant and maintain a garden plot of which one row is donated to the homeless. Fine motor, gross motor, and coordination are emphasized in our curriculum. In addition music, movement, social skills are naturally integrated into daily activities. Assessment and anecdotal records track children's areas of need and mastery of skills.

Who Would Benefit From Transitional Kindergarten?

Children who are five years old on or before December 2 are eligible for Transitional Kindergarten.

Many parents have a gut feeling that their child just may not be ready for kindergarten. Quite often, they are correct. These children may have a fall birthday, show no interest in paper and pencil tasks, and/or always just want to play.

Transitional Kindergarten benefits those children who need the gift of time. They receive a year to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. This gift of time prepares them for the academics and expectations of a traditional kindergarten the following school year. If you are unsure about which program would suit your child best, we would be happy to meet with you and discuss our available kindergarten programs.