Fall Fun at Kidz n’ Coaches!
Christopher Kazanjian
Professor of Educational Psychology at El Paso Community College
10/20/2022 - As the cooler weather sets in and the sun begins to set a bit earlier each day, Kidz n’ Coaches-El Paso decided to get into the fall spirit by painting mini pumpkins!
The children were excited to see each other as sounds of laughter and conversations radiated down the hallway from the meeting room. As Louis E. B. entered the room and the children saw him, they let out great cheers! They knew that Kidz n’ Coaches was about to begin!
Thanks to the Rather Prize award, we upgraded our event today. The group started off with an excellent snack: Jason’s deli croissant sandwiches, kettle chips, and some juice. Once everyone was fed and watered, Coach Sandra Kazanjian informed the kids of today’s activities. The children kept asking her if they get to keep the little pumpkins! Of course, she said! Special thanks to honorary Coach John J. Kazanjian for working with Albertsons to get these pumpkins donated! Lou and I handed out aprons, plates of paint, and mini pumpkins. Each plate of paint had sparkle paint! Now that was something!?While Coach Danielle Coppinger distributed paint brushes, water cups, and napkins. You should have seen the excitement on the children’s faces as they were in line to get their supplies.
The children went to work quickly, and the continued laughter and conversations were fueled by a new energy! We all sat together and talked about our creations, the changing of the seasons, life, and laughed over a few jokes. After all the pumpkins were decorated, we said goodbye, but before the children left, they came to get a Halloween bag of goodies! Each child came and said “Trick or Treat,” and got their reusable Halloween totes (with some good loot inside, i.e., chocolate!).
领英推荐
Kidz n’ Coaches is one of the most important initiatives I have ever known in education, whether you are at an event in Utica, NY at Mohawk Valley Community College or in El Paso, TX at Western Hills Elementary with folks from El Paso Community College , the profound experience is shared. Designed by Mohawk Valley Community College Hall of Fame Professor James D. Smrtic, Kidz n’ Coaches was created to offer children and Coaches group experiences for self-actualization. The beauty and power of the program come from unlocking the flowing nature of childhood energy to be expressed at full force. El Paso sits right on the U.S. and Mexico border, while Utica is one of the most diverse cities in America, having a high density of refugee populations. Kidz n’ Coaches engages children and Coaches from around the world, and its experience transcend borders.
If you ever want to know the nature of the universe, come to a Kidz n’ Coaches event. Concepts of reality and even time dissolve, because the excitement, silliness, rhythms, and movement take one fully into the here-and-now. What is most profound is that you will not be an observer, but find yourself an essential part of everything. Lou, Danielle, Sandra, and I discussed how although the time disappears at the events, the memories are rich and everlasting.???
Thank you to the wonderful children, The Rather Prize, Coaches from EPCC, Sandra and Danielle, and the good folks at Western Hills Elementary!