*Special Advertising Feature*
Junior Kindergarten Teacher | Rockbridge Academy
After practicing speech-language pathology for 20 years in public school settings and private practice, Becky Galloway accepted a new role this year as the junior kindergarten teacher at Rockbridge Academy. Most recently, she worked at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Galloway received her undergraduate degree from Baylor University and master’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.
What inspired you to become the junior kindergarten teacher at Rockbridge Academy?
I was inspired to bring my professional experience in early childhood education to the classical Christian setting.
Whether it’s my own early-elementary-aged kids or students in my speech therapy caseload, I have seen that development in the earliest years causes real, lasting change in a child’s life. My hope was to create a junior kindergarten classroom rich in language and literacy. Four- and five-year-old students are not meant to sit behind a desk all day, so we utilize nature walks on our gorgeous campus and encourage curiosity by fostering an age-appropriate classroom environment. We have developed a unique space for students to engage in multisensory activities, learn through exploration, and exercise in our motor lab.
How did your background in speech-language pathology prepare you for this role?
Communication skills are the foundation for learning. Speech-language pathologists specialize in teaching receptive/expressive language skills, articulation, literacy, and social skills. In the classroom, this translates to practicing how to say letter sounds, following directions, answering “wh” questions, recalling details of a story, expanding vocabulary, and thinking about other’s perspectives and feelings. I hope that my skills as a speech-language pathologist prepare my students for kindergarten and beyond.
What makes Rockbridge Academy stand out from other schools in the area?
Rockbridge is a classical Christian school with a heart for walking alongside parents to raise their children in a way that follows the Bible and honors the Lord. Our goal is to teach students how to think critically and articulate ideas cohesively while pointing them to the true author of goodness, truth, and beauty. Our one campus houses Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade, allowing students to develop mentoring relationships. I hear parents of graduates repeatedly say their child would not be where they are today without the excellent education and spiritual guidance that Rockbridge provided.
680 Evergreen Road | Crownsville, MD 21032 | 410-923-1171 | www.rockbridge.org
