In Cheryl Vanatsky's class, each preschool grad made great strikdes

YOUNGSTOWN

Their robes were a little big, and the cap kept slipping over one’s girl’s eyes, but three William Holmes McGuffey Elementary preschoolers were all smiles as they accepted their diplomas.

The three children are among the eight in Cheryl Vanatsky’s class at the school. The class includes medically fragile students and those with special needs, plus regular education students.

Jayden Johnson and Karmella Wilkins, both 5, and Lily Reyes, 6, wore red robes and white paper graduation robes Wednesday morning. They will advance to kindergarten next school year.

Valerie Johnson, Jayden’s mom, says her son will attend Williamson Elementary School next year, but he’ll miss preschool.

“He loves coming here,” she said.

Jayden also attends another preschool when he leaves McGuffey, but Johnson prefers Vanatsky’s class.

“He’s learning things,” she said. “He’s improved in his counting, his letters, numbers, writing. He’s improved on everything.”

Karmella, whose cerebral palsy has her in a wheelchair, has improved dramatically since coming into Vanatsky’s class.

“She smiles,” said Karmella’s grandmother, Angela McLendon. “She reaches. She follows with her eyes. She turns her head.”

Karmella didn’t do any of that before she came to Vanatsky’s class. Karmella will remain at McGuffey next year in a kindergarten class.

“She loves interacting with the kids,” McLendon said. “They interact with her and she just lights up.”

Read more about this special teacher and class in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.