ONE
TEACHER'S
TAKE
Sarah Stanton is ready to return
to her classroom.
"I always say I'm thrilled to go
back," the fourth grade Linda
Childers Knapp Elementary
School teacher said. "I enjoyed
my summer at home with my
two kids, but I thrive on the
routine. I love going back to
school. You could buy me a
brand new box of Crayons right
now and I would be the giddiest
35-year old you have ever met."
Sarah, and thousands of public
and private school teachers
around the region, will soon be
preparing for a new year, and a
new set of young faces in their
classrooms.
Teachers, just like students, have
to get their heads back in the
game.
"I tell all of my kids one
important thing before they go
home for the summer," the 12-
year veteran Springdale educator
said. "'You have worked your
hineys off all year long and made
great progress.' I say, 'don't just
let it go to the wayside. Do some
work over the summer. I have
to read and go to meetings and
learn things over the summer,
too.' Kids are surprised that
teachers have to do homework.
We all have to keep learning.
Telling them that helps them
understand."
To be clear, Sarah doesn't want
her students spending the entire
summer reading books and
studying dawn to dusk. She just
wants them to be aware learning
comes in many forms.
"Have some down time," she
advised. "Have some fun, but
don't just let the time go to
waste. Don't forget all of that
growing and learning that you
have done. Take some time and
have some fun, and keep that
mind sharp. Read online and play
math games. It can be something
that's fun and laid back."
As Sarah preps for her return
to the books and blackboards,
she is reminded why she decided
to go into elementary education.
It's about the kids.
"Some days it is the most
magical place I've ever been," she
said. "It's really gratifying. Like
any job, there are good days and
bad days, but for the most part
the kids keep me on my toes, and
they are pretty darn fun. It will
be a good year."
Off icialKidsMag.com • AUG & SEPT 2018 • 7
ON BACK
TO SCHOOL
Josie Samarin, 10, 5th
grade and teacher
Ms. Sarah Stanton
