Teachers Kris Martinez, Barbara Whitaker and Melissa Kinman. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Incoming Kindergarteners who missed the Kindergarten Roundup April 6 still have time to register. Visit the LAPS website here to get important details on how to enroll.
For the parents who gathered at Mountain, Pinon, Barranca, Chamisa and Aspen Elementary Schools for Kindergarten Roundup the most important part of the orientation was registering, asking questions, and meeting the staff.
But for the students, the most exciting part was to meet the kindergarten teachers. The teachers are just as excited as the students.
Here is why Los Alamos Kindergarten teachers love their jobs:
“I love teaching kindergarten because of the students. Five and six year old children are happy, energetic, enthusiastic, curious, and tell you what they are thinking. I love the challenge of providing enriched, hands-on, and meaningful educational opportunities to all students. I love the fact that we provide the beginning foundation for each child’s future. It makes me smile when students in upper grades tell me they still remember all the fun things they did in my kindergarten class, and they wish they could come back to kindergarten. In our class we like to take field trips, sing, dance, make crafts, write stories, share, play, and most of all learn to make mistakes because that is the only way we can be the best we can be. I am truly lucky to be able to teach kindergarten.”
Heidi Schembri, Barranca
“Kindergarten is my favorite because it is an exciting transitional year to public schools, and the kids learn so much. They are eager to please and still so enthusiastic about learning!”
Amanda Ferran, Pinon
“My favorite thing about teaching kindergarten is getting to teach the foundational skills that students need to be successful in the later grades. My favorite activities to do with my kindergarteners are making our letter of the week craft and solving math problems using the Smart Board.”
Adrienne Larson, Barranca
“I love that everything is new and exciting to Kindergarteners. We love to read books aloud.”
Mrs. Forsyth, Pinon
“I enjoy teaching Kindergartners because it is the most rewarding experience to be a part of a student’s introduction to education. It is most rewarding to see a student coming in not being able to hold a pencil and leaving with reading, math, and writing skills. I also enjoy teaching these skills with hands on manipulatives throughout the year.”
Patricia Jaramillo, Barranca
“I love how 5 and 6 year olds come to school smiling! I get to teach them how to read. I love 6th grade buddies. We invite 6th graders once a week to our classroom. We do activities like making a tooth fairy pillow with a pocket for their lost teeth. They form invaluable relationships with each other.”
Becky Littleton, Chamisa
“Kindergarten is my favorite because I love the innocence and being able to really see their “A-ha” moment.”
Christine Hunter,Chamisa
“Kindergarteners love school, and especially their teacher – I don’t know how many birthdays I’ve been invited to over the years!
I love focusing on phonemic awareness and phonics. If a student goes home and tells parents that we played all day, I know I’m doing a good job!”
Megan Jackson, Aspen
(Ms. Jackson will be teaching 3rd grade this year)
“My favorite thing about teaching is seeing my students’ faces light up when they have learned something new. My favorite activities to do with my students are sing and dance and just be silly.”
Kris Martinez, Mountain
“I enjoy teaching Kindergarten because I get to foster a love of learning in children as they begin their school experience. Kindergartners are eager learners! I really enjoy their energy and curious nature.”
Melissa Kinman, Mountain
“I have had the privilege of being a teacher of young children in kindergarten for 29 years. What a joy to be a part of the growths, discoveries, and the teaching/learning of kindergarten students! Kindergarten students warm my heart with their love of learning. Kindergarten is such a foundational year, and being able to provide learning experiences that encourage each child to wonder, question, investigate, discover, and learn is definitely a reward beyond measure! I am grateful to the families that allow me to be a partner with them and to share in the delights of their children as they start their educational journey of learning. I am passionate about teaching and love sharing my enthusiasm for learning with my students.”
Barbara Whitaker, Mountain
If your child missed the Kindergarten Roundup, visit the LAPS website at this link (http://laschools.net/domain/869) to get important details on how to enroll.
