We're Off to Kindergarten!

The Start of Something New!

I am almost giddy with the excitement of this writing adventure! I guess it's the teacher in me, because I love fresh starts! I look forward to the beginning of the school year...a roster full of new students thrilled to come to Kindergarten with their cute little backpacks and lunchboxes...a spic and span classroom with its gleaming waxed floors and recently painted walls...a blank lesson plan book yearning to be filled with new ideas as well as those "tried and true"...school supplies with sharp pencils, unopened boxes of crayons and markers, new scissors (Fiskars brand, of course), and boxes of gluesticks...shelves filled with a rainbow of colors of construction paper...Oops! Sorry! I got carried away!! Yes, I love the start of a new school year!

You see, I've always wanted to be a teacher...as far back as I can remember. As an elementary student, I would line up my stuffed animals and dolls (wishing desperately that they would come to life) and "make them do work." I just loved it when my teachers would give me the extra copies to take home for "my students." Even well into middle school I "played school." My best friend, Judy, and I spent hours at her house practicing to be teachers. We both had our own chalkboards. (Yes, that was back in the day! I think her Mama still has chalkdust in her baseboards!) One of us would work in her living room and the other in her den. The kitchen was our "teacher's lounge" where we would snack on Wedding cookies and discuss all the difficulties we were having with our students. We took it very seriously! When we got to high school, Judy and I continued to follow our passion and were given the opportunity to work in our local elementary school, assisting teachers and tutoring students. We both were "called" to be teachers and have spent many years instructing, nurturing, and loving our students.

I've taught Kindergarten through Fourth grade, enjoying the experiences at each level. But I've spent most of my 20+ years teaching Kindergarten. What a privilege to give children their first "Big School" experience and observe the amazing transition and growth that takes place! What a responsibility to formally introduce the process of learning...and experimentation...and success and failure...in such a way as to make them love school and want to come back each day!! What a thrill to teach a child to read...and open the gateway to all learning!

So here's the place where I hope to share some encouragement...and maybe a funny story or two...with parents of Kindergarteners...or whoever happens by! I hope to offer some insight into the mind of a teacher, as well as a few tips and pointers. Education happens with the teamwork of teachers and parents! Let's go for it!