On Tuesday night I attended the Kindergarten curriculum night on Zoom. I was there because my great-granddaughter is a student in the class this year. Interestingly, although my daughters and two of my grandchildren went through the Seed’s elementary program, my great-granddaughter is the first of them to be a student in Kerri’s kindergarten. Kerri and I first met in 1984, forty years ago, when she was newly graduated from ASU and looking for a job. Although her degree was in high school art education, I hired her on the spot because she had experience teaching in a quality early childhood program in Tempe. I also hired her because she cried with joy and appreciation when I showed her the children’s handmade books.
Over the years I taught both of Kerri’s sons, and experienced her incredible teaching skills with toddlers, preschoolers, 1st/2nd, and most importantly, kindergarten. For forty years, Kerri has been a steady presence at the Seed, showing up day after day, year after year, to contribute to the Seed vision. In the last few years we’ve shared our common experiences of grandparenting, and losing both parents and a close family member within a short time span. In short, we’ve experienced the full range of life side by side.
During her curriculum night, I listened as Kerri explained the importance of connection and building community in kindergarten. She emphasized reasons why, as a school, we focus so much on social skills, and talked about kindergarten being a time of helping kids be ready to learn in a safe, supportive environment. Kerri discussed terms introduced to the class such as “filling our bucket,” “whole body listening,” and the concept of “practice.” She shared her love of kids, art, and books, and how she integrates these in her curriculum.
In her presentation she covered her perspective and approach to math, handwriting, phonics, writing, invented spelling, and reading. Included were tips for how to support children as they enter into these subject areas and how to encourage fluency and independence. It was quite an impressive amount of information to cover in a short period of time.
A favorite part of my week is being in the kindergarten class every Monday morning to help support emerging writers. I did this last year and was completely impressed with the growth of the class over the entire school year. I’m happy to have the opportunity again this year, and look forward to witnessing a fresh group of eager learners step into the world of literacy in the language arts. I am excited to participate in their progress as writers learning to use their budding skills to express their thoughts and develop their voices. Building on all the wonderful preschool learning children have had at the school, kindergarten sets the stage for academic learning in a new way, and the Seed is fortunate to have such a gifted and seasoned teacher guiding this process.
Kerri was an instrumental part of both of my children’s growth as learners and humans. I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher for them and co-worker and friend for myself. Love you, Kerri.