When I am asked what I do for a living, I always respond that I am a kindergarten teacher and I usually get a generic response like "Oh you teach kindergarten, that must be lots of fun!" or "Kindergarten must be such an easy grade/age to teach!" These comments often get under my skin, but I have to remember that not everyone understands what goes on in my classroom on a daily basis and that kindergarten is not what it used to be 15 years ago.
Kindergarten in present years is an extremely busy place where a great deal of learning takes place. The current standards for kindergarten are more intense than those were for first grade 10 years ago. We do not only teach the letters and numbers anymore but rather we teach our kinders how to add, subtract, decompose numbers, read simple words by sounding them out, read sight words, read books, write stories, etc.
I also love how people outside of the education world assume that our job is over at 3:00 pm and we are done! This is such a misconception. I often have to work over to complete my lesson plans, run copies, prepare for the next week, etc. Plus when I do leave, I do not forget about my kinders that I am concerned might not have a warm bed to sleep in or food to eat. They are always on my mind.
I LOVE my job and wouldn't trade it. I was meant to be a teacher of little people. I have taught both first grade and kindergarten and I love to see the growth that these little people make throughout a school year. I do not do my job for the high pay (Ha Ha!) or the fame (Ha Ha Ha!), but rather for the little faces that come in to hug me every day!
So what do you think about teaching kindergarten??
Hi Joni! Thanks so much for linking up! Kindergarten is definitely an extremely busy place and we are always learning tons! I totally agree about how when we leave, we often still have our kinders on our minds! Thanks for sharing these thoughts and truths! :)
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