Hanan joins District 544 as ECFE director

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, September 10, 2008

It could be a big year for the Fergus Falls Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and School Readiness programs. On top of a change in scenery from Eisenhower to McKinley, the program will introduce its new coordinator, Karen Hanan.

And although Hanan’s title may be new to the ECFE and School Readiness program, her face won’t be. Hanan has been a teacher with the Fergus Falls ECFE program for 21 years.

She first took on her new role at the end of July and has spent the last bit of summer familiarizing herself with all that her position entails.

And although she’s in for a whole new set of duties, including budget management, she will continue to teach school readiness classes, which will allow her to maintain that connection with those who the program is all about: kids.

“I have a love and desire for the families and the children; they are my driving force,” Hanan said. “I get my energy from the children.”

Two new courses will be offered through the ECFE programs this year, including an afternoon music class for children ages 2-5 and their parents. A movement and activities afternoon class will also be offered to kids ages 2-5 and parents, set to meet at the YMCA.

Hanan said the program had offered afternoon classes in the past, but has not within recent years.

A new class designed for infants — newborn to 10 months — and their parents will also take off this semester.

Offering these additional classes is just one of the changes she hopes to accomplish while coordinating the program.

“I want to try and get as much offered as we can,” Hanan said.

Hanan’s experience in teaching didn’t begin with her start at Fergus Falls in 1987. In 1981, she began teaching preschool at various schools throughout Minnesota. Her role as a teacher within the ECFE program has taught Hanan the significance of parent involvement in the learning experience.

“It is such an important process,” Hanan said.

Hanan admits it will take a while for her to adjust to mornings without interacting with parents and children, but says she’s lucky to have a window to the outside world on the door of her office, allowing her to view the kids’ smiling faces as they pass by.