Early Childhood Coordinator Creates Preschool Positivity

Mary Beth Callahan is the Early Childhood Coordinator for the Milton Public Schools, working with parents to secure special education services for the youngest students. She talked with columnist Julie Fay about helping families, missing classroom teaching and the importance of early education. 

What does the Early Childhood Coordinator do?

I’m the team chair for the special education aspect of the Integrated Preschool. Any family who suspects that something may not be going right with their child’s development can come to me. (The Preschool serves children from age 3 until kindergarten entry.) I’m a liaison through Early Intervention programs (which serve children younger than age 3) and also for families whose children attend other preschool programs in town. 

What is your background?

I taught at the Integrated Preschool for seven years, and before that I was the director of a nonprofit, private, school-age program. I worked before that in a city program in Boston. Every single experience I’ve had has been so different and wonderful. 

Do you sometimes miss the classroom?

Absolutely, because that’s where my heart is. I really do enjoy and love working with the families, but to me the value is with the students. I teach the five-week summer session, and it’s so good to get back. It’s important not to take oneself out of that (teaching) role. 

So how does your administrative role help families?

I feel like I’m there to support them. When these parents come in with a three-year-old with a disability, I can’t imagine anything more beneficial than to be able to be supportive and help them through that situation. It can be really heartbreaking for a lot of families, and I have a lot of compassion for that; I know what it’s like from personal experience. But there’s always a hopeful situation, too, and I think I help families to see that, and to realize that we’re always looking toward making progress. 

It sounds like a tough job.

Sometimes people don’t agree, but overall I think that the feedback I get is that it’s working for the children. I don’t have trouble. I’m very honest with the families, and generally I think that helps. 

I love what I do. Sometimes I might have a stressful day, but I know I’ll get past that. We have a program that I feel proud of, and I really want to be part of all the change and growth that goes on there. I’m just happy every day at my job. 

Anything else people should know?

Helping children when they’re very young is key to their development. The focus on early education and care is terribly important, and so is having the resources to really do it right. 

For more information on the Integrated Preschool, visit http://www.miltonps.org/preschool-integrated.php.