Pearson Early Childhood School 2026

Liza Sethman

Pearson Early Childhood School - Special Education Teacher
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Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Pre-Kindergarten is a serious responsibility with a powerful influence on early development. I believe that children's earliest school experiences shape how they view learning for the rest of their academic lives. I still remember my own early school experiences and the teachers who positively influenced me. As a result, my primary goal is to foster a genuine love of school and learning—one that will support students throughout their educational journey and beyond.

I believe all children, regardless of background or ability, are capable learners who deserve equitable opportunities, patience, and high expectations. It is my responsibility to meet students where they are developmentally, academically, and emotionally, while guiding them forward with intentional, individualized support. I do this by observing children at play and using quick, informal, play-based assessments to plan engaging, hands-on lessons that target each child's next skill.

At the core of my teaching is a commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment. In nearly 30 years of teaching and working with young children, this belief has directly shaped my teaching style, which is intentionally student-centered, play-based, and responsive to individual needs. Through consistent routines, clear expectations, and positive relationships, I help students feel secure and confident. When children feel supported, safe, and valued, they are more willing to explore, engage, and take the risks necessary for learning.

My teaching reflects a developmentally appropriate, student-centered approach. I use hands-on learning, play-based exploration, and intentional instruction to foster curiosity and engagement. I design activities and experiences that are meaningful and accessible, incorporating visual supports, language modeling, differentiation, and multisensory learning. While this creates a more active and livelier classroom environment, I have found that my students are highly engaged and excited to learn. These strategies are also important for ESL learners and students with special needs, as they promote understanding, communication, and independence.

I believe social-emotional development is just as important as academic growth in early childhood education. I intentionally teach skills such as self-regulation, cooperation, problem-solving, and empathy, knowing these foundations are essential for long-term success. I distinguish myself as a teacher by celebrating effort, progress, curiosity, and perseverance, and by helping students develop confidence and a positive self-image as learners.

What makes me an outstanding teacher is my commitment to teaching with patience, purpose, and passion, and my understanding that the foundation built in Pre-K can influence a child's entire school career. The greatest rewards of teaching come from witnessing growth—both big and small. Whether a child is learning to express their needs, mastering a new skill, or arriving at school with excitement and confidence, these moments affirm the lasting impact of early childhood education. Teaching is not simply my profession; it is my commitment to shaping confident, capable, and enthusiastic learners prepared to thrive in school and in life.

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Principal's Recommendation

To the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

There are educators who teach lessons, and there are educators who change lives. Liza Sethman is the latter. It is with deep admiration, confidence, and heartfelt pride that I submit this nomination of Liza Sethman for Plano ISD Teacher of the Year.

As her principal and supervisor, I have had the privilege of watching Liza quietly and consistently do the work that truly matters—the work that doesn't always make headlines, but fundamentally shapes the futures of children and families. For more than 20 years, she has shown up every day for students who need more: more patience, more advocacy, more intentional planning, and more belief in what is possible. She does this work not for recognition, but because she genuinely believes every child deserves to be seen, understood, and celebrated.

Step into Liza's classroom and you immediately feel it: calm, safety, and purpose. Her students—many of whom are navigating disabilities, language barriers, or their very first school experience—know they belong. They know they are capable. They know they are loved. Liza has an extraordinary ability to meet children exactly where they are while never losing sight of where they can go. She blends deep knowledge of early childhood development with an intuitive understanding of each child's needs, strengths, and story.

One of the most powerful testaments to Liza's impact—more than any other teacher I have seen in my career—is that her students and their families so often return to see her. This speaks volumes about the lasting imprint she leaves on the hearts and lives of four-year-old children. How many of us can truly remember our teacher from such an early age? Yet time and time again, former students—now high school and even college students preparing to graduate—seek Liza out to share the moments they still remember from her classroom and to tell her how profoundly she shaped their earliest experiences with school. These reunions are deeply meaningful and rare with other early childhood educators. Time and time again, these moments remind us that Liza's influence does not fade with time—it endures, shaping lives long after her students leave her classroom.

Her work in special education is not driven by compliance alone—it is driven by compassion. Liza approaches IEPs and ARD meetings with the heart of an advocate and the mind of a master teacher. Families often arrive overwhelmed, unsure, and fearful. They leave feeling heard, respected, and hopeful—because Liza takes the time to explain, reassure, and partner with them. She understands that behind every IEP is a parent who simply wants their child to be okay, and she honors that responsibility with care and professionalism.

What makes Liza truly exceptional, however, is that her impact does not stop with her students. She lifts everyone around her. New teachers seek her out. Teaching assistants trust her guidance. Colleagues lean on her steady presence during moments of uncertainty. She mentors naturally and generously, never positioning herself above others, but always beside them. Many of our strongest educators at Pearson will tell you that Liza helped shape who they are today—through modeling, coaching, encouragement, and belief.

Liza's leadership is rooted in service. She has held numerous campus leadership roles over the years, often stepping into challenging spaces simply because the work needed to be done. She brings clarity where there is confusion, calm where there is stress, and solutions where others see obstacles. Her voice is trusted because it is thoughtful, grounded, and always centered on what is best for children. Beyond our campus, Liza's influence reaches across Plano ISD. She facilitates professional learning at both campus and district levels, sharing best practices in inclusive instruction and early childhood special education. In these sessions, she doesn't just deliver information—she connects. Teachers walk away feeling more confident, more capable, and more empowered to support students in meaningful ways. Through her leadership, countless students—many she may never meet—benefit from her expertise.

Perhaps the most powerful exemplification to Liza Sethman is this: she makes hard work feel hopeful. Early childhood special education can be emotionally demanding, complex, and often invisible. Yet Liza brings consistency, grace, and humanity to every part of it. She reminds us why this work matters. She reminds us who we serve.

Liza embodies the very best of Plano ISD—excellence, equity, compassion, and leadership. Recognizing her as Plano ISD Teacher of the Year would not only honor her extraordinary contributions, but also shine a light on the profound impact one dedicated educator can have on children, families, colleagues, and an entire system.

I give my strongest and most enthusiastic recommendation for Liza Sethman as Plano ISD Teacher of the Year. Our district is better because of her.

With deepest respect,

Jen Haugh
Principal
Pearson Early Childhood School