All News & StoriesOffice manager and HR generalist Lane Heaney keeps CCA humming as an organization, but did you know that her roots run deep in caring for children as well? Read below to learn more!
What was your favorite activity to do with your kids in the classroom?
I have always been an advocate of early literacy for children. When I taught preschool, I created a “Book Tote” program where children could take home themed totes that contained books, crayons, and a notebook. The goal was for the children to spend time with their families reading books and then draw whatever inspired them afterwards. Grown-ups were encouraged to join in on the drawing part, and the program was well received. The children really loved coming back to school and sharing what they drew and which stories were their favorites.
If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would tell yourself about the night before your first day as an early childhood educator?
Get a good night’s sleep because you will be exhausted at the end of the day!
Talk about a fellow educator you admired and what you learned most from them.
This one goes back as far as I can remember making memories, but I think I was most influenced by my first preschool teacher. She was always on the floor playing with us, reading stories, or doing whatever activity we were doing at the time. The thing that I learned from her was that, in the end, the children will remember how you make them feel. They will look back fondly on reachers who generally enjoyed them and made them feel important.
If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would tell yourself before you became a parent?
I know it seems cliché, but enjoy them while they’re small. I was so busy doing the work of raising them and keeping everyone alive, sometimes I had to just stop and remind myself how fleeting the time was. The laundry, dishes, and all the “work” will still be there, but the children are only little for a short window of time. So go out and play and just enjoy them!
What has been your favorite thing about being a parent? How is different than being a grandparent?
Right now, I love seeing the people that my children have become and the kinds of partners and parents they are. Even if they weren’t my kids, I’d still want to be friends with them. It’s a fun time when you can just hang out with your grown children. Being a grandparent is so different because you really can just have all the fun whenever you want to. Everything the grandbaby does is marvelous, sweet, and new. It’s almost like getting that special time again with your own children but better because you still get nights off when you want them.
What is your favorite thing about your grandson at his age now?
He is 19 months old now and is a delight! He is talking up a storm, loves bird watching out the window, and acting silly to show off. I think my favorite thing about this age is how quick and eager he is to learn new things. He’s like a little sponge just soaking everything up.
What is the best advice you ever got about parenting?
One thing that someone said to me a long time ago is to enjoy more and worry less. No parent is perfect, but the fact that you care enough to ask and learn to do your best means so much more than doing everything “right” will ever mean. At the end of the day, your children just want time with you to remind them how important they are to you.
Want to learn more about Lane? Check out her previous Last Day Q&A post!
