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Sarah Malm
Hutton Elementary
What do kindergarten teachers like most about this age?
When given a safe and consistent learning environment, kindergarten students are always ready for a big adventure! It is a joy to spend each day with young students who want to move, explore, create and play in all areas of learning. Five- and six-year-olds are funny, inquisitive, sensitive, imaginative, fast friends, amazing problem solvers, and quick to love and forgive. As kindergarten teachers, I believe we have the most rewarding job. Kindergarten rocks!
What kind of growth do you see in kids from day 1 to day 180?
The most beautiful and challenging thing about growth in kindergarten is that it is different for each student. Our task, as educators, is to meet each child where they are in their learning journey and provide opportunities for them to grow in all areas of development, celebrating their accomplishments and offering support along the way. Kindergarten in Spokane Public Schools uses play-based centers to help meet the needs of all learners. For example, one week we may be using The Little Red Hen as our literacy focus and students may be creating masks to re-tell the story in Art Center, building a farm community in Block Center, creating a restaurant in Dramatic Play Center, drawing and/or writing about the characters and setting in Writing Center, etc. Students are becoming innovators, readers, writers, mathematicians and strong community members all through play. It is an essential component that complements our kindergarten curriculum as we prepare students for first grade.
Why is kindergarten such an important stage in kids’ lives?
Kindergarten lays the foundation for a child’s educational career. As teachers, we focus on teaching the whole child to prepare students academically, socially, emotionally and physically. In kindergarten, students learn how to recognize their emotions and tools to support emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, phonological and phonemic skills to support reading and writing readiness, opportunities for fine motor development, skill building in math readiness, and so much more. The number one goal in kindergarten is for students to leave with a love of learning and the belief that school is a safe and fun environment that will support their growth as valued community members.
What’s your favorite part about being a kindergarten teacher?
My favorite part about being a kindergarten teacher is building relationships with my students and their families and advocating for their needs. Each student has experienced the journey to kindergarten in a completely different way. I love the challenge of discovering what makes each child unique. Learning about what makes them smile and laugh, how they learn, the situations that make them feel confident or uncertain, and how to best support when struggles arise, is so fulfilling. When students feel seen, understood, valued, and loved, learning can take place. Relationships are essential!
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