Gretchen and Amy have each had a turn at writing
so I guess that brings it to my turn. I’m Shelley, the kindergarten teacher of
the group. When I tell people I teach kindergarten, they either think I’m crazy
or lucky. Personally, I think I’m lucky! When I started teaching kindergarten I
knew I found what I was meant to do. It is so nice to teach kiddos that, for
the most part, love school and love their teacher. I would much rather deal
with snotty noses and tears than hormones and attitude. When I first started
teaching, 12 years ago, I always said that I wouldn’t teach kids that were
taller than me. Well, it seems like that limits me to 3rd grade and
younger.
My first year teaching I lived in
Covington, TN. During my interview, the principal said to me, “If you can teach
here, you will be able to teach anywhere!” I was hired on the spot and the
first day, I knew why. When I got my class list on the first day of school, I
couldn’t pronounce half of the names. I even had a couple of names that had
punctuation in the spelling of their name. There I was, this little white girl,
standing in front of 19 African American students that I could not understand
because of their thick southern accent. I taught in Tennessee for six years
before moving to St. Louis and I loved every minute of it.
A mentor
once told me, that the kids will never remember everything you teach them, but
they will always remember how you made them feel! Isn’t that so true with our
memories? The one thing I remember about kindergarten is that my teacher left
me in the room with the other bus riders so she could walk out the car riders.
I was terrified because there wasn’t an adult in the room. Our emotions are so
tied to memories. To this day, I tell my students that the one thing I want
them to take away from kindergarten is that they are perfect just the way they
are made and that I love them!
Awesome post and excited to be following you!!!
ReplyDeleteCute blog! I'm your newest follower. :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Welcome! I am your newest follower and a new blogger as well. Come check out my blog over at It's Grow Time!
ReplyDeletedani
Hi girls! I found your blog from the Teaching Blog Traffic School fan page! I just signed up today and have only done the first 3 lessons, but it is so informational and I love it! Your blog is adorable!
ReplyDeleteMolly
Lessons with Laughter
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