Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2025
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, our mission is deeply intertwined with fostering strong starts for young learners. Through our early learning initiative, Early Learning Multnomah County, we have the privilege of connecting with remarkable educators across the county. Pioneer Preschool, a play-based Montessori program truly embodies Early Learning Multnomah County’s nurturing mission. During a recent visit, we stepped into a vibrant world where diversity isn't just acknowledged – it's celebrated, and where the dedication of the teachers shines through even the toughest personal challenges.
Stepping foot inside Pioneer Preschool, one quickly hears the joyful sounds of children, a universal language that elevated our experience and our spirits. But listen closer, and you'll hear the subtle notes of different languages – English, Russian, Amharic, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This linguistic diversity mirrors the backgrounds of both the children and the passionate educators who guide them.
Teacher Brenda, an educator with over two decades of experience, shared ]what it’s like working at Pioneer Preschool.
"I love all the opportunities that they give us to give better quality child care to the kids with all the training we have available to us," Brenda said. “Our partnership with Early Learning Multnomah County has been wonderful, we’ve had nothing but very satisfied parents.”
Her words speak to the continuous growth she's been able to experience through Pioneer Preschool’s partnership with Early Learning Multnomah. Teaching in a big city has given her a variety of ways to access continued learning opportunities and further hone her craft as an educator. This dedication translates into a positive experience for families, better outcomes for children, and a stronger ecosystem of early education across the county.
For Carmen, another dedicated teacher, her journey to Pioneer Preschool is a story of resilience and the unifying power of working with young children. Originally from El Salvador, Carmen's early years in the United States were marked by the immense challenge of navigating a new language and culture.
"It was not easy, because I had to start all over again,” Carmen shared. “I didn't speak the language, I didn't know the culture, nothing, it was so hard ."
"I love all the opportunities that they give us to give better quality child care to the kids with all the training we have available to us. Our partnership with Early Learning Multnomah County has been wonderful, we’ve had nothing but very satisfied parents.”
Teacher Brenda
Yet, her passion for early childhood education ignited shortly after arriving in the U.S. She learned quickly what age group she taught best in, and has been teaching what she calls “the little ones” for 10 years, with two of those at Pioneer Preschool.
Carmen finds immense joy in the diverse classroom at Pioneer Preschool. She shares, "I'm still learning every day, even from the kids, that’s what I love about my job. I get to be around kids from different countries, and backgrounds, and learn about them too. So everyday we get to talk about their cultures, their languages, and I mean even in my classroom I have a kid that speaks Amharic, another that speaks Russian, a few that speak Spanish, some that speak Vietnamese. And one of our little girls speaks Chinese, English, and she wants to learn to speak Spanish, like isn't that so cool?." She enthusiastically describes it as a rich cultural exchange. With the vibrant mix of cultures that creates the unique learning environment at Pioneer, children are naturally introduced to different perspectives and ways of life.
Beyond the joys of teaching, Carmen candidly shared the demanding realities of pursuing her own education while working full-time and raising a family.
"It's not easy, I'm always tired. But time definitely passes by because I've been here for two years and I can't believe it,” Carmen said.
The weight of juggling multiple responsibilities sometimes brings guilt to Carmen. She admits, "Sometimes I'm sitting on my computer all day long doing homework and reading books and my kids will be watching me do all this and they'll ask, ‘When are you gonna come play with us?’ And that's the hardest part."
Yet, her unwavering motivation shines through: "But I'm doing this so I can have more money and time to spend with my family one day and hopefully travel the world with them."
The rich diversity at Pioneer Preschool, while a strength, also presents unique challenges. Carmen points out, "Our biggest issue as a preschool is that we run into language barriers because of the large diversity we have here. We have a lot of parents who speak Vietnamese, and with only one teacher who speaks Vietnamese, we end up throwing so much on her plate, but she never minds, because she wants to help. She understands having a language barrier herself how difficult that can be."
Teacher Dao, the Vietnamese speaker, is a warm and dedicated teacher who has been part of the community for the past two years. Her presence is particularly significant for the Vietnamese-speaking families within the school. As Dao explains, "We have some Vietnamese kids here so I help them with translating the material, and I translate for their parents during pick up too." Her role extends beyond the language; she serves as a crucial cultural bridge, understanding the nuances that can impact a child's experience.
Dao offers a thoughtful example of this cultural understanding: "I also understand Vietnamese culture, my culture, because it's different. Like for some of the kids, they have a hard time sharing their lives with the other kids. That's where I have to explain to the others that in Vietnamese culture, there's more things that are kept private than others."
This highlights the importance of having educators who can connect with children and families on a deeper cultural level, ensuring that their needs and perspectives are understood and respected. This is a core aspect of Early Learning Multnomah’s work, knowing that the data supports children being educated by people who have cultural significance and sensitivity to their backgrounds. Our team knows that integrating students' cultural backgrounds into teaching methods activates existing neural pathways, facilitating better comprehension and retention. For instance, students from oral traditions benefit from instruction that includes storytelling and rhythm, leading to improved reading and math skills. These insights are possible thanks to the deep connections Early Learning Multnomah and partners like Pioneer Preschool have with our diverse community.
Dao and the other educators at Pioneer Preschool have the ability to navigate these cultural differences, thanks to their cultural diversity. This creates a more comfortable and inclusive environment for these young learners and their parents, fostering trust and a stronger sense of belonging within the community. Their dedication, alongside the support of our Early Learning Multnomah team, highlights the profound impact that diverse educators can have in creating truly equitable and understanding early learning spaces.
Our visit to Pioneer Preschool offered a powerful glimpse into our diverse community, and the value that a focus on diversity can bring to young learners and their families. It showcased the remarkable dedication of teachers who, despite their own struggles, show up every day with passion and commitment to nurture young minds. It highlighted the beauty and richness that comes from embracing diversity in early learning. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Early Learning Multnomah County are proud to partner with Pioneer Preschool and others to support a learning ecosystem that allows every child and every teacher to contribute to a vibrant and welcoming world of learning.
“We try to make a relationship with the parents to help them. Building that relationship is so important, and it doesn’t take much to remind them that I’m here to support them. All the families are so kind in return,” Brenda concluded.