Early Childhood Major Brings Education to Le Bonheur鈥檚 Youngest Patients
February 21, 2025 鈥� Jailene Moreno is breaking new ground for the College of Education (COE) at the University of Memphis as the first student to complete her teacher residency semester at Le Bonheur Children鈥檚 Hospital in Downtown Memphis. This unique opportunity is part of the All Kids Academy.
Unlike a traditional student-teaching experience, Moreno鈥檚 day begins with briefings and updates on her students鈥� conditions. She then visits each child individually, spending at least 15 minutes with them. Her role is twofold, to help them stay on track academically and to provide a welcome distraction from the challenges of a hospital stay.
鈥淚t鈥檚 emotionally impactful and has taught me to stay focused and compassionate under pressure,鈥� Moreno said. 鈥淵ou can see and hear what the kids are dealing with, and you can feel that weight when you walk into the rooms. It鈥檚 fast-paced because there鈥檚 more of a focus on health and well-being rather than academics, and that is why I try to make an impact each time I see a child.鈥�
Announced in June 2023, the All Kids Academy began as a collaboration between Le Bonheur, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), and UofM鈥檚 College of Professional & Liberal Studies (CPLS). The initiative has since expanded to include COE students. Moreno, a Memphis native and an Integrated Early Childhood major, is one of 17 UofM interns in the current cohort.
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| Moreno with Dr. Salem |
鈥淭hese kids have been in the hospital for extended periods due to their medical conditions, and some are indeed behind on their schoolwork,鈥� Moreno said. 鈥淭he activities I do, whether it鈥檚 reading, coloring, singing or doing silly dance moves, help them feel connected to their normal routine, or if they have not experienced a school environment, it gives them a different outlook of how their day goes.鈥�
鈥淭he first cohort of UofM interns has already made a tremendous impact on our patient families through All Kids Academy,鈥� said All Kids Academy Coordinator Erin Lasley. 鈥淥ur goal is to meet kids where they are, and it is a joy to walk alongside the next generation of educators as they prepare to do the same.鈥�
鈥淛ailene is leading the way to a dynamic, responsive approach to teaching children under medical care, adapting lessons to fit their unique academic and emotional needs,鈥� said Dr. Wesam Salem, an assistant professor of elementary education and Moreno鈥檚 clinical supervisor. 鈥淭his experience is giving her invaluable insight into how education can evolve beyond the traditional classroom. We鈥檙e so proud to see her bridge the gap between healthcare and education, proving that learning truly has no boundaries.鈥�
Moreno鈥檚 experience at Le Bonheur highlights an evolving perspective on education鈥攐ne that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. At its conclusion, this residency will have been more than just a learning experience but something that will have shaped Moreno鈥檚 vision for the future.
鈥淥ne of my takeaways is how important it is to be flexible and to be able to adapt quickly to the environment,鈥� Moreno said. 鈥淓very child鈥檚 situation is so different, and I must be able to provide that balance when supporting the child through their education. It might not be in a classroom setting, but I am put to the test when evaluating the student and myself with what is my overall goal for the child.鈥�
Moreno鈥檚 goal is to become a teacher after graduation. Currently, the All Kids Academy serves children five and under, but there are plans to expand the program to include K-12 students. This expansion will create even more opportunities for COE student teachers to make a meaningful impact, just like Moreno.
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