Raccoon Grade School Superintendent Misty Johannes (left) with this week’s teacher of the week, Kindergarten teacher Angie Hart.
A kindergarten teacher at Raccoon Grade School that a parent says makes every student feel special and excited to come to school every day is this week’s WJBD-WSIQ Teacher of the Week.
Angie Hart has taught kindergarten at Raccoon since graduating from SIU-E in 1993 and says she loves the age group and loves the small school atmosphere that allows her to watch her students grow up.
Hart says this school year has been different but thinks the changes may be harder on the teacher than her first-year students.
“After about the first week or two we got into a routine and it was just the way things went. I think it was harder on the teachers than at least my kids, they didn’t know any different. Having breakfast in our room has been different, but now it’s no big deal. We are trying to keep our distance but we are still playing, learning, and having fun and making it the best we can.”
Hart says the students did well during the two weeks Raccoon Grade had to go on full remote learning.
“We taught the kids in the classroom how to use an app that they use at home and I have to say my parents and families have been wonderful at responding to that. So the kids did a great job and I think they taught the parents how to do it.”
But Hart never sees remote learning replacing the classroom, especially for kindergarten-age students.
“The most important things in kindergarten is learning to be socially appropriate and learn from your friends and social interactions and just getting along with each other, and you can’t get that with an iPad. I think that’s why I’m so adamant for us to be in school if we can because I don’t think you can get that at home.”
Raccoon Grade School Superintendent Misty Johannes calls Hart an amazing teacher who is inspiring to parents and other teachers as well.
“When you walk in her classroom it’s very dynamic, full of life and engaging and she’s always been willing to share her knowledge, skills, and resources with other people. It’s often been said that if children have wonderful experiences in their early years of school that they will always love school and be life long learners. And Mrs. Hart makes that first year of kindergarten very memorable and Raccoon is very lucky to have her on their team.”
If you would like to nominate a teacher for Teacher of the Week honors, please go to the link on the WJBDradio.com website and follow the instructions.
