About Us

Our Vision

Our vision is to plant seeds of goodness in the children. We strive to nurture the seeds to grow and bring forth good character, in addition to a healthy physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Our mission is to prepare well-rounded children to succeed academically, conquer life's challenges, and develop into great citizens; all through a trained staff committed to creating an environment where kids enjoy LEARNING.

Meet the Founder

Our Philosophy

Flourishing Community

Shalonda Owens

We give up the notion that a teacher knows everything. We become the child's partner in learning and encourage children to find their own answers instead of providing the answers for them. By being a partner, we learn with the children and share in their experiences.

As early childhood teachers, we support learning by providing activities and materials that children find engaging. We help children to find learning easy and fun through;

Facilitating a positive learning environment
Supplying developmentally appropriate tools and interesting materials
Providing adequate time to explore, play, and interact

We consider ourselves to be Nurturers! To nurture is to nourish. Nurturing a child encompasses all aspects of development; social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical. In every interaction, a teacher should nurture appropriate growth and development.

We, as teachers, will take care to listen to the children including interpreting words and actions. Listening carefully helps teachers determine a child's needs while aiding in furthering the child's development, and we are committed to doing just that :-)!

Curriculum

Fruitful Trees will implement the Creative Curriculum.

The Creative Curriculum balances teacher-planned and child-initiated learning, emphasizing responsiveness to children's strengths, interests, needs, and learning styles. Nationally known for being forward-thinking, comprehensive, and rigorously researched, it helps teachers plan and implement content-rich, developmentally appropriate programs that support active learning and promote children's progress in all developmental areas.

The Creative Curriculum translates child development theory and research into best practice, clearly defining the teacher's vital role in connecting content, teaching, and learning for pre-school children. It discusses the five components of teaching preschool children effectively:

HOW CHILDREN DEVELOP AND LEARN
THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
WHAT CHILDREN LEARN
CARING AND TEACHING
PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES

Whatever their levels of experience, teachers can find the support they need to offer appropriate learning experiences for all the children in their classrooms, including dual-language learners, children with disabilities, and advanced learners.

LITERACY: The Creative Curriculum® Approach
Cate Heroman and Candy Jones

THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM®APPROACH reviews the latest research about early literacy learning and shows teachers how to create environments and offer experiences that inspire children to read and write. It explains 7 components of literacy in detail:

1) A source of enjoyment

2) Vocabulary and language

3) Phonological awareness

4) Knowledge of print

5) Letters and words

6) Comprehension

7) Books and other texts

Mrs. Owens has a B.A. degree in Fashion Merchandising from the Ohio State University and over 16 years of experience in early childhood development.

After working in retail for several years she saw a shift in her passion after the birth of her first child. From that point on she has worked as a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher, and not long after she was appointed Youth Director at her local church.

Mrs. Owens resides in the Blacklick/Gahanna area with husband Aaron "Coach" Owens, who teaches and coaches high school athletics, and their four beautiful daughters. In her free time she loves to read, run, travel, eat, and decorate.

Favorite quote - "Every child you encounter is a divine appointment." - Wess Stafford