Dear Kindergarten Teacher,
In August I walked into your classroom for the first time. A little boy held my hand tightly. It was all so new. Other parents walked their children to their lockers, helped them put away their backpacks and store their lunches. The moment had come. It was time to say the first of many goodbyes.
It was hard for me to walk out the door on that first day. I smiled my best “You’re going to be fine” smile and slipped out of the doors before the tears could slip from my eyes. It was the first day of a new era. My first child. His first day of school.
I was proud of myself for keeping my emotions in check, but the moment I climbed back into my empty minivan, I’ll admit the good ole “ugly cry” came in full force. Letting go isn’t always easy, but it was easier knowing that I was leaving him in good hands.
I knew he was going to be fine because I knew that you were going to take care of him.
Thank you for loving my child. Thank you for encouraging and challenging him. Thank you for seeing his potential and handling his tender heart with kindness and care.
I know it’s a hard and often thankless job. I know that you don’t get paid nearly enough and that the days are long. I know that when you get home there are lesson plans to write and projects to prepare. There are parents and paperwork and a host of other people and things pressing for your time.
I know that there are probably other professions that you could have chosen – jobs with less stress, fewer headaches, and a much quieter work environment. Sometimes a day with just ONE five-year-old can feel overwhelming, and yet you deal with over twenty on a regular basis.
I just want you to know that you are making a difference. He has learned that school isn’t a scary place, but a place where learning can be fun. Thank you for making this transition easy for both my child and I. I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher this year.
I cried when I dropped him off for his first day of school. At his Kindergarten graduation I cried again because I’ve seen the way he has flourished and grown over the last year. Yes, he’s still my baby (and he always will be), but he has grown into a confident and accomplished student, and I owe a lot of that to you.
Thanks for loving our babies.
Thanks for giving of your time, energy, and attention.
Thank you for investing in our children.
What you do matters – to the little people in your classroom and to the moms and dads at home.
God bless you…and I hope you plan on sticking around for at least five more years, because I have two more little boys who will be following in their big brother’s footsteps.
Sincerely,
A Kindergarten Mom
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