By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The March Teacher of the Month Kris Jenkins is a preschool teacher at Nickerson Elementary.
"Littles have always been my thing," Jenkins said. "This is my 37th year teaching and most of my time has been kindergarten or preschool. Every day is something different and the little people are just sponges. You know, to me, preschool should be about exposure to things they might not normally have been exposed to."
Tying those things together in a way to allow for activities the kids can do takes creativity.
"We've been watching the Decorah eagles on their Facebook page and their Youtube channel," Jenkins said. "We watched them restore their nest and then, as luck would have it, over spring break the darn things hatched and we couldn't watch them hatch together."
Jenkins was able to make little nests that the kids could have with noodles and Easter candies and they did an art project that was cutting out baby eagles hatching and putting them on a piece of paper, but it's about more than snacks and crafts. It's about creating a place they want to come to.
"You've got to have the kids feel loved and safe before you can ever teach," Jenkins said. "That's been my platform."
Jenkins knows she can't control what happens to them when they're not at school, but she and her staff give their best while they have them.
"I feel like, when they walk through the door of the building, I know, for seven and a half hours, I've got them. They're safe, I'm exposing them to new things. We're having fun. I have two classroom aides that are rock stars. I couldn't do what I do right now without them. If I'm having an off day, they will joke me out of it. I feel like our classroom is a place where they are safe, they are loved and they have fun."
Jenkins even helps them get mentally ready for the week by reading a story to them on Facebook on Sunday nights, to let them know she's thinking of them even when they are not in class.
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