Ms. Grisbee has taught for 29 years- 26 of them being at the kindergarten level.  Because of her number of years in the field, she has assumed the role of “Lead Teacher” for the grade.  She also acts as mentor to many of the new teachers at the school.  Technically, there’s only supposed to be two new teachers for every mentor, but that is not always the case.  To become a mentor, she attended a 3-day workshop that counted toward her annually required 5 days of in-service.  She gets paid extra for the additional responsibility.

She teaches at a “neighborhood school” where the day officially begins at 7AM.  Once a week at this time, she is on “bus/car duty.”  The first bell rings at 7:15AM and it is time for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance.  She begins the day with a classroom trip to the bathroom.  This is followed by about two hours consisting of phonics, math workbooks, social studies, science, writing and “center time.”  Center time allows Ms. Grisbee the chance to teach and observe the students’ social interaction skills.  Lunch is at 10:35 followed by a story time which is promptly followed by a 45-minute rest break.  At the end of the break, Ms. Grisbee takes them again as a classroom to the restrooms and then to their “special time” classes.  These “special time” classes alternate daily between art, library, gym, computer and music.  Then the students take recess until it is time for dismissal. 

At the beginning of the school year, kindergarten does a “phase in” program for one week. Kindergarten is the only grade-level that does this. During the first week of school, the kindergarteners only have to come in twice for half days.  It enables the teacher to meet the students one-on-one before being put into a class of 20 to 25 students.  It also helps the students from being overwhelmed. 

Another aspect somewhat exclusive to kindergarten teachers is the need to raise extra supplies for arts and crafts.  Extra time has to be devoted to being resourceful and getting desired supplies (often times from the parents) for projects not specified in the curriculum.  Holidays are good times to learn about social traditions while also enhancing motor skills. 

When asked her advice for individuals aspiring to teach kindergarten, she emphasized that “you must love children to be a teacher.”  It is what keeps her going and happy in her career. 

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