Happy Retirement, Jeannie!

This summer we say goodbye to a wonderful teacher at CMESS.  I hope she enjoys her retirement after her hard work of 22 years.  

 

I have been lucky enough to have Mrs. Sanderson teach all three of my children over the past several years.  Mrs. S. has always embodied that perfect mix of kindness and firmness that is so important in a primary teacher.  Those first few years are crucial as our kids learn to love learning, and that is where Mrs. S. excelled.  Her students came into her classroom at age 4 or 5 and quickly learned that school is safe, fun, exciting, and that the world is a rich and diverse place we can love and protect. 

I think she did well with all subjects, but it is clear to me that science is close to her heart.  From the worms in the worm farm, the hatching ducklings, the spiders, tadpoles, bugs, snakes that briefly visit, and the bearded dragon, the kids learned from Mrs. S. that these creatures are our friends and caring for other creatures is part of being in her room.  She models good stewardship of the earth, and the kids will take those lessons with them throughout their whole lives. 

The other big inspiration for my own kids is Mrs. S's love of music.  When we came to this school my daughter was too anxious to walk across a parking lot alone, but after a few months in Mrs. S.'s classroom, she was belting out a solo at the talent show Mrs. S. had organized.  We were shocked  and grateful for the drastic increase of confidence my daughter enjoyed with Mrs. S.'s encouragement.   

Another strength is her ability to inspire kids to be kind to each other.  She instills empathy and compassion in our youngest students, and i think that makes a huge impact on our school, as these kids face all the confusion and insecurities that come with growing up.  Our school culture of inclusion, kindness and generosity is due to the hard work of all school staff and volunteers, and Mrs. S. has always played a huge part in that.

I would love to say a thank you to the woman who gave "outside play" as homework, and reminds us all that life is better with a song in your heart.