"After the Bell" the official podcast of Savannah - Chatham County Public School System

Recording at the Massie Heritage Center, producer Dee Daniels interviews Andrea Burkiett, Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction at SCCPSS, about early learning and why it matters.

Burkiett shares how a childhood moment inspired her to become a teacher and explains early learning (birth–5) versus early childhood education (K–5), emphasizing that learning begins at birth and that 90% of neuron pathways develop from birth to five. She describes how early experiences shape vocabulary, book handling, routines, and peer interactions, and outlines misconceptions that pre-K is “babysitting,” noting it is standards-based, intentional learning through play.

The conversation covers early literacy (conversation, storytelling, sounds), early math (sorting, patterns, comparisons), social-emotional growth, enrichment to build background knowledge, and kindergarten readiness through language exposure and life skills. She highlights Georgia’s Child Find, encourages enrolling four-year-olds in available pre-K seats, and describes a typical pre-K day of large/small group centers and targeted instruction.

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FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:30 Andrea’s Origin Story

01:56 Why Early Learning Matters

03:58 Foundations Kids Build

06:57 Early Literacy in Pre-K

08:24 Math Through Play

09:29 Social Emotional Growth

11:16 Enrichment Beyond Screens

14:13 Kindergarten Readiness

17:01 Support for Different Needs

20:09 A Day in Pre-K

22:16 Future Vision and Career Advice

25:10 Closing Thanks