YAY! Kindergarten Teachers!

If it's not already out there somewhere, there really should be one of those YAY! magnets for kindergarten teachers.  You know the magnets I'm talking about--I have several:

I am in awe of kindergarten teachers.  I've aways thought they were amazing, but I came to see them as extraordinary when my first great nephew Ethan started school three years ago (read the story here).  Mrs. Aten, his teacher, provided him and his classmates a classroom filled with books, learning opportunities, comfort, safety, and so much love.

This year, three more Royal Babies stepped into the world of kindergarten.  Drake, Max, and Madi couldn't wait for that first day of school--they arrived with backpacks, curious minds, and big hearts.  While all three were in different classrooms with different teachers, the growth achieved by all has been nothing short of miraculous.  

Nebraska Kindergarten

Drake has the same teacher that Ethan had.  Mrs. Aten's kindergarten classroom buzzes  with activity as five and six year olds count and say the alphabet and write letters and stories and sing songs and read.  Yes, READ!  A few months ago I helped Drake with his sight words for that week.  At that time, he recognized quite a few words but wasn't reading books.  Low and behold, being in the hands of Mrs. Aten for six months, Drake can read.  An entire book!  I truly believe she has super powers.  How does one even begin to teach someone to read??  I ask this as a retired English teacher!   I am in awe, Mrs. Aten.

(press play!)

Can I please be at Table 3???

A complete sentence, with correct capitalization and punctuation.

Colorado Kindergarten

Madi's teacher, Mrs. Smith, is amazing.  She has nurtured and guided Madi this year, allowing her natural personality to shine.  Mrs. Smith uses an online portfolio where students showcase their growth.  Here is Madi discussing her love of numbers.

click for Madi's portfolio

And here is Madi reading.  READING!

click for Madi reading

And if that's not enough, Madi has gone from writing her name to writing letters of the alphabet to writing words and now to writing complete sentences and stories.  

I went to Macedonia. I went to Greece. I went swimming. I felt happy!

Mrs. Smith has known Madi for six months.  She encourages Madi to be confident, to be a helper, and to be a leader, and Madi's light shines brighter than ever.  I am in awe, Mrs. Smith.  You are a superhero!

Max's teacher, Mrs. Levett, does it all.  Under her guidance, Max not only counts past 100 and recognizes a variety of site words, but he, too, READS!  How is this possible??  And to top that off, Mrs. Levett has brought the Picasso out of Max.  He loves to draw and create, and his work is nothing short of stunning.  His colorful drawings are truly works of art, and his multi-dimensional projects show his advanced spatial development.  Mrs. Levett, I want your super powers--I am in awe!

a summer moth, complete with antennae

this flower is pure magic

bulletin board worthy!

(press play!)

Mission accomplished

When asked what makes a superhero, the late great Stan Lee said 

A superhero is a person who does heroic deeds and has the ability to do them in a way that a normal person couldn't.  So in order to be a superhero, you need a power that is more exceptional than any power a normal human being could possess, and you need to use that power  to accomplish good deeds.

Mr. Stan Lee, I present to you Mrs. Aten, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Levett, and every kindergarten teacher out there.  Heroic deeds?  Exceptional powers?  Good deeds?  Check, check, and check.  Their heroic and exceptional powers give five and six year olds the ability to uncover their very own super powers by teaching them to count and add and draw and write and think and reason and dream.  And READ!

Thank you, Mrs. Aten, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Levett, Mrs. Smaha (my kindergarten teacher!), and all the superheroes who love, nurture, guide, encourage, and, yes, teach our kids.