My "Why"

Last month, I had the opportunity to read this poem at the kick-off to the Keystone State Literacy Association annual conference. It was part of a poetry reading put on by the DEIB committee. In order for learning to be at its most optimal, children need to feel comfortable and welcomed. I strive to create that in my classroom, as well as in my daily life. I hope this poem resonates with you.

Little Preschool’s Big Impact

As an early childhood educator, I teach students their letters and numbers,

but I do so much more.

I teach students that they matter, as do their friends and neighbors.

I see this in the smallest of moments…

A child smiling when they see a doll that looks like them,

Glowing as they hear a story in their first language,

Singing along to their favorite holiday song,

Playing with a student who is sitting alone,

Hugging a friend who is feeling big emotions,

Sharing a favorite toy with a classmate who is longing for a turn,

Learning about a festival in their city.

With every expression,

Every action,

Every experience,

I feel our little classroom expand into something bigger,

Something greater,

And I am reminded of the why.

Why preschool matters.

Why inclusion matters.

Why I continue to show up…

For my students,

For this field,

For myself.

Each and every day, we do a pledge of kindness

And we end it like this:

At preschool, we always try our BEST!

What if that sentiment echoed from our classroom

Throughout our school,

Town,

County,

State,

Country,

World.

By being our best selves,

And accepting others’ best selves, too,

No matter if they were the same,

Or different,

From our own.

Wow, who knows what we could do…

And to think this all just started at preschool.