Staff Spotlight: Meet TLS at Duke's New Director

On August 1st, the new Little School at Duke opened its doors to a entire fresh group of teachers and administrators. This new team is spending the month creating their beautiful  rooms, learning about TLS, and most importantly, grooving as a family. One of the leaders of this new family is an old friend to TLS, Kris Ketchum. I asked Rachel to introduce us to Kris:

"Kris K. what can I say.  Kris has been a part of The Little School vision since it’s inception in 2004.  But I, Rachel Bachenheimer, have known Kris since I was 18 years old (a long, long time ago:) as the afternoon teacher in her 4’s and 5’s class.  Many years later I worked with her at CCSA (Child Care Services Association) where she was the Infant/Toddler Specialist.  Now I am so excited and feel so lucky to work with her again where she is Program Director of The Little School at Duke!  Here is a little bit about our wonderful Kris Ketcham." -Rachel

* How did you find your way to TLS?    

One lovely day in 2004 I received a call from two ladies requesting my assistance in opening up the highest quality child care center ever developed.  I met Christa, Jennifer and Mary at Christa's home where we sat at the kitchen table broadening The Little School's dream.  The biggest and "most professional" advice I gave these women was, "If you build they will come" and boy they haven't stopped building yet!  Over the years I continued to be their Infant Toddler Specialist, starting at Davis Road moving our way through Waterstone.  When the Duke site became a vision Christa and Jennifer asked me join the team exclusively, which meant I would not be driving North and South on I-40 across the State everyday.  Now I am walking between the North and South buildings at the Duke Campus.    

* What was the most interesting trip you have taken?  
      
My Peru trip where I traveled down the Amazon hiking the rain forest, meeting Villagers and teaching one day in a school house.  I was in areas where there was no running water, electricity and homes without all four walls or rooms.  It was an experience of a lifetime!

* What movie or work of fiction has had the biggest impact on you? Why?          

JAWS!!!!!!!!!!  I was a fish growing up, especially since I grew up on Long Island, and when I watched that movie I became afraid of what was lurking in the water.  Not to mention the movie was based on a vacation spot called Amity Island and I lived close to Amityville (don't even mention the Amityville horror story)

* If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Never miss a chance to nap, Play freely and/or Love unconditionally!

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?  

I would rather be a joyful simpleton for sure, because I believe strongly in Peace, Love and Happiness!  Life is too short so I try not to sweat the small stuff!  

* If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?  

My Cats Bou Bou and Kit Cat for they are spoiled, loved, spoiled, well taken care of, spoiled and well spoiled!

* What did you want to be when you were 12 years old?    

A CHP Motorcycle Cop! I loved the TV show CHIPS about two motorcycle cops in California and that is all I wanted to be at that age.  I even rode my banana seat bicycle up and down the streets of NY keeping them safe from fearful motorists (of course I thought I was much faster than I actually was but being a dreamy kid that is all I needed)

* What words do you live by?   

Two sayings I live by  "They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care" (regarding my job as a mentor, coach and director of teachers)  And "It is not quality for a day; it is quality forever" (regarding caring for children).