Kelly taught 1st grade at FME for six years then took several years off. She came back to FME this year as an interventionist four days a week, which aligned with her child’s preschool schedule. When the teacher left the day before school began, Kelly stepped in to help. It required a quick mindset shift.
She took on the position, in part, because she feels it wouldn’t be fair for the kids, they should have a positive 1st grade experience. “For kids at this age, transitions are hard, they need routine, they need stability” she says. “I really wanted to make sure they had a great year. It’s not their fault that a situation happened. I had the time, and I could help.”
She says the staff at Florida Mesa all exemplified empathetic collaboration, asking what they could do to help, answering questions, helping getting Kelly up to speed on new curriculum materials. She says” Everyone out here (at Florida Mesa) is just a family and takes care of each other.” She is quick to point out that other staff members would have stepped in if she hadn’t. She says “for me, the funnest part is being back with my friends and doing what I love.”