|
Interview with Mary Orne
Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA Early Childhood Education Director Mary
Tardiff Orne began working at the YMCA when she was just 13 years
old. Raised in Marblehead, she took YMCA swim and gymnastics
lessons as a kid. Since she started working for the ‘Y’ she’s been
in almost every position from maintenance to the front desk. In
1982 she became an early education teacher and has been the
department director for the last four years. In the last 25 years,
she has taught over 1,000 children.
“I work with kids
because I enjoy their spontaneity, honesty and creativity,” says
Orne.
Under her
leadership the education department received the National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Accreditation. NAEYC accredits programs on the basis of ten
standards that include well-trained teachers, excellent teaching
materials and an appropriately challenging and developmentally sound
curriculum. Only 7% of NAEYC applicants actually receive
accreditation.
Concerning the
changes that will occur at the new YMCA, she says, “the core program
will not change in the new YMCA, but now we’ll have quality space
with more enrichment opportunities for the children with ballet and
gymnastics classes in the same building.”
The core program
teaches children socialization, cognitive, fine and gross motor
skills and literacy and language by caring, qualified staff who
prepare each child for school.
The new YMCA at
Leggs Hill will have a secure, separate entrance for the eight
education rooms as well as a dedicated outdoor playground. The
state-of-the-art center will have furniture designed for
children—including low sinks. The department will increase from
serving 75 to 200 families a year. They will also offer extended
hours for the convenience of working families and to accommodate
family schedules.
“The Y is a great
family place—your family can be a part of it and grow with its
values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility,” says Orne.
Orne puts in
extra hours working nights and weekends during the summer and winter
months running Family Camping on Children’s Island and the popular
youth and teen ski and snowboard program. In the new YMCA she plans
to grow family programming so families can do activities together
like hiking, camping, and skiing. She also plans to have
educational programs to help parents in raising their children.
Orne has
supported the capital campaign to build the new YMCA by being the
campaign assistant part-time for a year, helped with ongoing
fundraising parties, brought others to donate and even donated
herself to the campaign.
|
