What I Learned in Kindergarten

by Leslie Bennett

In 1989, I began my journey in the world of kindergarten. My first seven years were spent as a special education assistant at Trewhitt Elementary. I was blessed to work with several children with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Many days were challenging, but children are a blessing from God, regardless of their special needs. Often people would ask me how I did it every day. I always told them that I treated the children just like I would want my own children to be treated.

My next twenty-six years have been spent in kindergarten at Michigan Avenue Elementary, where I attended elementary school myself. I have had the privilege of getting to know the children in thirty-three classrooms, many of which I have kept in touch with over the years.

There are a couple of things I have learned about children during my career. Number 1: They are brutally honest. They say exactly what they think. No filter! Like the time I was giving one of my students an AR test on the computer and she told me I smelled like her grandmother. I wasn’t sure if her grandmother was in a nursing home, but I later learned that her grandmother wore the same perfume I wore.

On another occasion, one of my students asked me what was wrong with my eyes. I went to the restroom, looked in the mirror, and realized in my haste to get ready that morning I had not put mascara on my bottom lashes. I did look a little strange.

And then there was the time a colleague told one of our little guys that he had his shoes on the wrong feet. He looked down at his feet and looked back up at her and said, “But these are the only feet I have.” Epic. That’s one I will never forget. You just never know what kids are going to say. It is always an adventure when you are dealing with children.

Now let’s get back to the things I have learned. Number 2: The kids who are the most challenging are often the ones who need to be loved the most. Children who are in desperate need of attention often act out. It is a teacher’s job to give them the love and attention they need.

I am always reminded of the quote by Carl W. Burhner: “They may forget what you said—but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Teachers have the wonderful opportunity to make children feel loved and cared for daily. I am blessed to spend my days with the gifts God has placed in my life. I have been rewarded with many children over the past thirty-three years and I am better because of them.

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3).

About The Author Leslie Bennett is a kindergarten assistant at Michigan Avenue School. She is a member of First Baptist Church and sings in the adult choir. She manages a blog at ohyesshedid.org.