All the fun stuff!

KATE ZULIM - Kate, a familiar

face at the senior lunch program, has a historic past! Her grand-

mother was a mail-order bride who traveled by ship to the United

States. During the long journey, she met another man and they fell in

love and married, leaving the man who had ordered a bride to look

elsewhere! Kate, a second generation American, remembers her family

spoke the language of Solvenia at home. But as was the case with many

immigrant families, her parents wanted their children to speak the

language of their new country, so Kate speaks English as her native

tongue.

Kate lives near the Sierra Senior Center with

her two beautiful white dogs, Violet and Rosie.

Kate’s first job was as a teacher at Kiddie Korner Day Care, Preschool,

and Child Care. When women entered the workforce, Kiddie Korner

was established to support working mothers. When the company

expanded in many states, including California, Kate worked at the

preschool level for five years, then taught children ages kindergarten

through age six. She then worked as a substitute teacher for another

five years, and finally became a personal aide for second and third

graders for eight years. The first thing you notice about Kate is that she

is very patient, a valuable asset for a teacher! She taught so many

children of different ages and classes for years, until her retirement

from McKinley Elementary School in Fresno, CA.

Kate is 69 years old and her smooth skin, kind eyes, and patient

manner show she is expert in knowing the many things that a

successful teacher must know. Kate knows how to judge the attention

span of the students, and that the younger the student, usually the

shorter their attention span.

Understanding that students learn better in a positive environment is

one of Kate's strengths. She excelled at engaging the students in their

work, creating ‘hands on’ activities, and incorporating visuals, games,

and songs for creative expression.

Kate remembers how delighted students were when she included

creating noise in the learning experience. Banging on their desks or

tables became a fun game and a release of pent-up-energy. She knows

that a critical lesson for children is learning how to self-regulate.

Games, songs, and small rewards like pencils or erasers encourage

positive enforcement and help teach self-regulation. If you have a

disruptive grandchild, Kate’s example could be an answer to helping

them to self-regulate and be a superior learner!

Thank you, Kate, for sharing the story

of your family and of the important

work you contributed to families and

children in Central California. We

salute you!

Welcome to Sierra Senior Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior citizens in the Eastern Madera County area. Our mission is to organize and promote education, nutrition, health, and overall well-being for our cherished community of seniors.

We go beyond just fostering well-being; we strive to create bonds of friendship, goodwill, and mutual understanding among our members, extending these values to all seniors in the region. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to open communication and the sharing of experiences.

As active community contributors, we take a keen interest in the civic, cultural, and social welfare of our area. Sierra Senior Center serves as a platform for open discussions on matters of public interest, creating an inclusive space for voices to be heard.

Join us in our journey to build a thriving community where every senior citizen can flourish, connect, and enjoy the richness of life. Welcome to Sierra Senior Center – where every moment matters!

 Navigating to Sierra Senior Center is a breeze! Once you spot the Oakhurst Community Center, head left at their entrance onto Cinder Lane. Follow the road along the parking lot and a dirt parking area. As you continue, a Baseball Field will appear on your right, and voila – our entrance is right in front of you. No need for detours; just follow these simple directions, and you'll be with us in no time! And, to make things even easier, we've included a map for you. See you soon!