TEACHERS
OF THE
YEAR ANA WEISS
and needed you are. This
appreciation resets your
mission year after year.

GIFTED AND TALENTED
PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT FEYNMAN
SCHOOL IN NORTH
BETHESDA, MD
What’s your funniest
teaching moment?
NOMINATED BY:
YEAJIN S.

“Ms. Weiss’ passion
and devotion toward
the whole class is
just overwhelming.

She goes out of her
way to create extra
curriculum so that
students can be
exposed to more
diverse and fun
experiences along
with education.

She also pays great
attention to each
child. Over the year,
my child and the
whole class became
not only more
knowledgeable, but
also very responsible
and grown-up
individuals. I am very
lucky to have her as
my child’s teacher.”
SPONSORED BY:
14 August 2017
What originally got you
interested in teaching?
Why do you think
teachers are important?
Teaching for me was
one of those things that
came naturally. I always
had a love for any outlet
that allowed for creativity
and a personal spin on
projects and teaching
offers this opportunity
daily. Education keeps
me interested year after
year because it is “ever
changing” and allows you
to challenge yourself and
keep fresh. When I was
younger, I had some real
rock star educators who
planned some amazing
lessons, projects and
ﬁ eld experiences. Going
to school on the Hill was
unique because when
we were learning about
something, we would go
out and see it in real life at
the museums, galleries or
gardens on the National
Mall. These experiences
and teachers shaped my
early teaching career and
future. For this next generation,
we will be the ones who
are equipping students
with skills that have never
been focused on and
discussed as much as
they are in today’s high-
tech/high demand world.

Collaboration, cooperation,
kindness, leadership and
compassion have always
been there, but it has
become even more dire
as educators to bring
these life skills to the
fore-front and prepare
our students for a “work
world.” Failure, challenge
and introspection will be
key features in ultimate
long-term success. We
know that we are counted
on to be present for
the kids. At the end of
the year, you get to re-
read the wonderful and
thoughtful notes from
parents who tell you how
much you have impacted
their child’s life. You are
reminded how important
washingtonFAMILY.com In Pre-K, all teaching
moments can turn into
funny moments. Not one
sticks out, but if you talk
to any early childhood
teacher, laughter makes
our school day complete
and I wouldn’t have it
any other way. My Pre-K
students are very good
comedians and have even
ﬁ ne-tuned the ability to
deliver a punch line. I
enjoy being their audience
as they “test out” their
material daily—particularly
at snack or lunch with bits
of sandwich or crackers
coming out of their
mouths and a big toothy
smile to follow; with a
wink. What is the single best
piece of advice you
can give parents of
preschoolers? Take in every moment.

When I put together
the Pre-K graduation
slideshow, I tear up a bit
because as the weeks,
months and seasons
pass you forget about
how much they grow
— physically, cognitively
and socially. It is a
wonderful showcase for
my parents and a physical
representation of the
idea of not taking each
moment of their four-
year-old world for granted.

Celebrate together, high-
ﬁ ve, offer encouragement
on those down days
and offer lifts on those
frustrating days. But take
time to savor your kids. Go
for walks together, give
them a smile and squeeze
whenever possible.

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washingtonFAMILY.com August 2017 15