I am beginning my 25th year teaching! I taught middle school for 12 years, and I have taught kindergarten for the last 13 years. I am a true teacher at heart, but kindergarten is my #1 love!! Through the past 13 years, kindergarten has taken a drastic change in dynamics – teaching standards not the children! It amazes me how much has changed in such a short amount of time. Even though I feel like many of the changes have not been developmentally appropriate, I have embraced these changes, and put my own spin on them to make them more appropriate and appealing for this age group. Teaching brings me so much joy!

Not only am I a teacher, but I am a wife and a momma to three girls that have my heart. My daughter Lainey is in college majoring in nursing, Kynlea Claire a third grader (that is our special rainbow baby that God knew we needed as a joyful distraction), and Katie Caroline my forever six year old. One of the many blessings in my teaching career, was being able to teach my sweet Katie Caroline in kindergarten. I never knew that year I was teaching her during her last year of life on this earth. I thank God that I was able to spend this whole year with her and make so many special memories.

I wish you much joy in your teaching journey!

Toni