Welcoming Classrooms Build Confidence in Students
From the Desk of Mary Keever
I was reminded of my childhood teachers recently and the powerful, personal impact they had on my love for education. I can name all of my teachers from kindergarten through senior year with stories of how they shaped and influenced me, and still, what sticks with me the most is how they made me feel about school. I see the same thing happening in Westchester classrooms now.
One of my summer reading books was “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama. While reading, one simple thought she shared planted itself in my mind and demanded consideration daily. She mentioned her experience of having teachers who expressed gladness when she walked into their classroom. She described the confidence and enthusiasm that feeling created in her. I was struck by the realization that I, too, was blessed to have many teachers who demonstrated gladness when I (and every other student) entered their classrooms. In these first months of my new leadership role as interim head of school, I have continued to reflect on this and observe how Westchester students are benefitting from their teachers’ enthusiasm and joy.
While I was not a wildly academic student, I loved everything about school from the day I started kindergarten. I attended a small neighborhood church school where my kindergarten teacher, Miss Sissy, instilled in me the desire to enjoy doing the right thing. She modeled and expected polite manners, 100% effort, and kindness to all. She taught me how to cook and got me in the habit of washing my hands often and carefully! Frequent hugs were a part of every day. I loved Miss Sissy so much, I didn’t even mind having to repeat kindergarten. In fact, I felt quite smug that I had a whole second year with her.
I vividly remember the pure joy in Miss Sissy’s eyes when I finally cracked the mystery of reading and read about “Sam the cat who sat in his hat.” Her laugh was contagious, and we giggled and guffawed our way through two years of bliss that laid the foundation for my love of education.
As my first teacher, she helped establish a feeling of security and excitement that traveled with me throughout my educational career.
I assumed this was a unique experience afforded by one veteran teacher, but as soon as I stepped foot onto the Westchester campus 24 years ago, I felt the same sense of confidence and wonder, and the feeling hasn’t left.
Across the campus, Westchester teachers are magical! Right now, as I think about these early school days for our youngest students, I want to share what I have observed in our early elementary classrooms.
In pre-K, which in recent years has grown to two classrooms, Mrs. Kathryn Yarbrough’s mantra is kindness always. Her perpetual smile is contagious and her enthusiasm unmatched. Mrs. Chelsey Beck, in her first year at Westchester, has an enthusiasm for learning and children that is evident as she quietly, but with great strength, leads students through their days. When I visited her classroom the first day of school, she said loudly so her students could hear, “Mrs. Keever, I have a secret to tell you -- this is the best group of pre-K students ever!” The pride shone in her students’ eyes. Pre-K assistants, Mrs. Caroline Jennings and Ms. Lindsey Carroll, also bring competency and creativity to the mix.
If any child is nervous about kindergarten, those nerves are quickly transformed into creativity and energy under the watch of their Westchester teachers. Mrs. Emily Mercadante treats each student as her own and offers comedic relief when needed. Her humility is evident in every endeavor. Mrs. Ashleigh Welder brings years of teaching experience but attacks each lesson and assignment with a fresh, invigorating outlook and approach. Mrs. Becky Turner, kindergarten assistant, gives Wildcats of all grades a welcoming start to the day in Before-School Care and coaxes the sleepiness into readiness for each day, which is no small feat.
These teachers, along with a faculty and staff of 90 exceptional educators and mentors at WCDS, work together each day to help students learn and grow in many ways. As we start the new year, let us remember the vision cast by our school mission – that our students will be guided toward striving for excellence and will view the wise use of knowledge as a lifelong joy. How do we get there? It starts with the confidence built from Day One when a teacher smiles and says, “I’m so glad you are here.”
I encourage you to take a moment to remember: Who is a teacher that made a memorable impact for you? Who is a coach or mentor who encouraged your confidence and excitement?
As you reflect on your own educational experiences, I hope you are filled with gladness that you can share with a child or student yourself.
 | Mary Keever Follow @WCDS_Head |
