not want to see me sad. As they stood slowly and walked in slow motion, they came to me and embraced me. There was a pause, I could not believe that a group of 5-year-olds had offered me such tremendous support in a time like this. I did what anyone would do, I cried. I realized so many things, and all I know is that I am blessed to teach kindergarten. Rotherham: No matter how many times you tell a child to go to the bathroom at the appointed time, they find a reason to just stand in line and wait. They don’t go to the bathroom, and then we move on to other things. Every day we have a bathroom break before recess. It was almost summer break, and the girl had been in my class all year and knew the routine. She came up to me at recess and said, “It is hot outside, and I’m sweating like crazy!” It was a hot day and she had heard me say that phrase a lot since I sweat at the drop of a hat. I look down and she is rubbing off the little droplets on her legs. Sometimes it takes awhile to connect with what is happening when you are watching more than 60 children on the playground. I eventually caught on to her way of asking me to go to the bathroom. Think of all the accidents your children have at home, the meltdowns, the talking back and multiply that by 20 to 25, depending on the day.
Q
What is your fondest memory of kindergarten?
Fitzpatrick: Personally, I remember I enjoyed playing with and building dinosaurs out of wet, red clay. Professionally, I really get a kick out of having a former student wanting their child to be taught by me because they remember kindergarten as being a wonderful experience. Franzen: One year I had a selective mute who would not talk in my class. I continued to praise him in all he did and encourage him throughout the year. He finally felt safe and secure enough in my room that he started to talk in front of the class, and my other students were blown away when he did! I will never forget that student and the impact he had on me as a teacher. Garcia: Art was my thing. I recall taking my time to create the most elaborate compositions. My mom always made me feel I was the greatest artist in the whole world, and she would display those colorful pictures of distorted shapes and wiggly lines in our well-known “art museum” — the kitchen refrigerator. Rotherham: My fondest memory of kindergarten was going to school with my older siblings. I always had to stay home with Mom since I was the youngest. Then being able to shop for my first backpack and lunch box — I couldn’t believe my wish had come true. I attended a Catholic school, so I didn’t have a male teacher until I was in seventh grade. It was so much more different than being taught by the nuns. There was a presence with that male teacher that made me listen more than any other time in my learning years. Even as a teacher, I learn new things everyday. The staff and school that I work at are fantastic. We work to empower these students, so that they will be successful in society.
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