emulate those teachers and foster a wel-
coming environment, particularly for
those students who may have a negative
attitude toward school.

Why do you think teachers are important?
Teachers are important for the lower
grades because our students see us as
the “keeper of knowledge”. For some
students, we are the adult they see the
most in their lives during the school
year. We do not just educate but rather
we inspire, advise, and simply listen to
our students as individuals and respond
to each one diff erently.

What is the single best piece of
advice you can give parents?
Let your child be a child! They just
learned to walk and talk, let them do it!
What’s your funniest teaching moment?
I received what I thought was a rolled-up
note from a student. Upon unrolling, I
quickly discovered it was a used baby wipe
from her baby sister. Apparently, she had
no other paper to write on at the time but
thought her message needed to be shared
that day. Immediately regretting her deci-
sion, through tears told me “I just wanted
to tell you I want to be a fi re girl!” She is
now 15 and uses regular paper.

How can parents and teachers work
together to empower and engage children?
Communicate and collaborate. It is
important to understand that we both
want your child to succeed and reach
their full potential!
Heading into this new school year,
what are you most excited for?
The new personalities of my students and
how they dynamic will work, as well as a
brand new team of fi rst-grade teachers!
If I weren’t teaching, I’d be …
A carpenter. ■
What are three things you use
in your classroom every day and
could never live without?
Books – Students read every day and my
library is a constant hot spot. It is awe-
some in fi rst grade where many kids are
learning to read and by the end of the
year, many are reading to learn.

“Teachers are
important for the
lower grades because
our students see us
as the ‘keeper of
knowledge.’ ”
Colleagues (they come in my room!) – I
am constantly asking my colleagues for
advice or using tricks they use to be suc-
cessful. Even though I am usually the
only adult in my classroom, I could not
do this job alone.

Sense of humor – while it is not a noun,
I could not get through the day without
trying to be funny. Kids really respond to
someone who doesn’t take themselves
too seriously.

JAMES BRENT
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