[Margaret Ann Johnson]

The first part of my son’s pre-school was great, then he had gotten very ill and was in the hospital for a week. He missed 2-3 weeks of school due to the illness. When he returned, the teachers did not welcome him back, yelled at him for not keeping up, even after I explained to them repeatedly what the illness was, and he had to take his time and re-learn certain things. So his school experience from elementary all through high school was not a great one, and trust does not come easy to him.

[Julie Metcalf]

I totally agree that the mood you come in with everyday will be the attitude that you students will pick up on and will determined their all day attitude. The welcoming is the most important and even interacting with the parent at drop off is important for everyone it help show the parent that you show acknowledgment of them and the student. Also allowing the parent to trust you as their child’s teacher.

[AN]

I had a teacher who was kind, funny, and incredibly helpful, and she inspired me in so many ways. She made learning enjoyable and always went out of her way to make every student feel valued and supported. Because of her, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others too, which is why I decided to become a teacher. Her example continues to motivate me to bring that same kindness, humor, and dedication into my own teaching.

[Jessica Bauman]

For myself I had a poor experience as a young child. I remember being scolded by a teacher for having an accident. I remember the teacher had a couple kids standing in the doorway and she was using me as an example of what not to do and it stuck with me, the disappointment I felt I had caused and the embarrassment that went along with the situation. I became disappointed in myself as well.

[Ashley Fugate]

I am currently working in PreK and one of the issues that we have is not feeling included within our elementary school. It is very easy to feel secluded because we aren’t included in a lot of things but when we are we must remind people. In our opinion, we know the importance that scores and numbers mean for our schools and that our documentation doesn’t count towards the numbers at the end of the year but that shouldn’t mean our kids can’t be apart of the school functions and activities. We do feel that our role is just as important as grades kindergarten through fifth. We start building the foundation for our students’ road to their future in school and prepare them for kindergarten. I have personally spoken to a kindergarten teacher, and she said that she can tell a major difference in children who do and don’t attend PreK. She said that these students are academically and socially further along. Studies also share that PreK is important because it provides children with stimulating environments and enhances their cognitive abilities during these years. We wish that when it came to school functions that we were invited. For example, we received an email sharing that when the battle of the books team was going to their competition the students and teachers would line the hallways and send them off by cheering and clapping for them. Within this email there was a lineup for which grade would stand in which hall. PreK was not included in this. We were instantly hurt because even if our kids didn’t understand what was happening, they would happily cheer everyone on. We did reach out and were able to join but just the fact that we were forgotten is what bothered us. We don’t have the weekly check-in meeting because we don’t do the testing like kindergarten through fifth does. My lead teacher does have to attend the weekly staff meeting my 98% of the time the things that are discussed don’t apply to PreK. We just don’t feel like there is a good balance and would love to see that change within our PreK program. We just want to feel like we are an important part of our school.

[Trainer]

Ashley, your insights highlight the vital role PreK plays in early childhood development. It’s essential for all grades to collaborate and celebrate every student’s contributions.

[Suzanne]

My first grade experience was awful. My teacher paddled kids after recess everyday. They were all the black kids, everyday. I didn’t realize it then. I certainly do now. My parents took me out of that school, but it scarred me for sure.

[Yuliya Soto]

My third grade teacher was the most bubbly person and made going to school so much fun. By the end of the year I knew that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.