“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
Deena Fischer is not your average woman by any stretch. Accomplished, smart, witty and educated she ‘s on an a mission to change the face of how preschool aged children are educated.
Advertisements
“So often we forget children have talents and skills inherent within them that the traditional educational system undervalues or ignores,” she says., “we don’t only teach kids how to remember facts and figures. We teach them how to think. Preparing them for a world that continues increase in size and pace.”
What Fischer, who is the executive director of Stages Academy preschool is talking about specifically is a philosophy where “academics and the arts are placed on an equal playing field.” Fischer, who is ecstatic about the approach, is set to open the new preschool in Falls Township called Stage Academy this fall, by holding a kickoff event on Saturday, August 3.
Everything we do is reinforce skill sets, she said, academic and arts lesson plans revolve around each other. They are set up in such a way so they reinforce the skill sets and talents simultaneously at Stages. We look at the whole child, she said, not simply reinforcing memorization.
Advertisements
Fischer, who herself was a performing artist until a knee injury shortened her career, has spent the last several weeks preparing for the grand opening by doing a complete makeover of the space where Stages will be housed. Hiring staff, prepping for opening day, and ensuring every t is crossed and i dotted.
“We’ll be ready,” she declared, sounding like the general manager of big time sports operation. Laughingly, she says, there is no other option but to be ready at this point.
Fischer, who by trade is an attorney, says a conversation between her and a friend is what got the ball rolling in terms of bringing this approach to the area.
Advertisements
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in education in some shape or form. I have three children of my own and what I realized is my approach to teaching my own children is in harmony with the principles of Stages.”
In addition to preparing for opening day, Fischer and her staff are busily organizing for an open house and community event on Saturday Aug 3 that will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A pancake breakfast, mini classes with teachers, a bounce house, carnival games and a concert with “The Little Rockers Band.”
Advertisements
“Its gonna be awesome,” Fischer said.
For more information about Stages Academy you can visit their website by clicking here or you can visit their Facebook page
Advertisements
