Reflection: Favorite Class

My favorite class is etched in my mind and may be the catalyst for me being a teacher. I remember Mrs. Fornes ever time a new student comes into my class and I try to channel her ability to make every child feel included and an essential part of the class. It was quite a few years ago that I was little girl entering a new school in the middle of the year due to the family relocation to North Dakota. I was a very anxious fourth grader who walked into a room full of student in Mrs. Fornes’ classroom in January and as the door closed, every eye was staring at me.  Just as I started to break down, Mrs. Fornes put her arm around me and said "Class, I want you to meet a very special student who will become one of your very best friend,” and then she introduced me.  She showed me to my seat and then whispered in my ear, "I think you are going to be one of my favorite students." At that minute, all of my fears disappeared and I would have walked through fire for her.  

Mrs. Fornes continued to take time to develop a relationship with every student and to recognize that every student needs to be loved for who they are when the come into your classroom. Mrs. Fornes opened the world to me like no other teacher.  We played games during Math class, went outside to do our Science experiments, and had a weekly field trip.  When she read a book to the class, I felt as if I knew the characters and was sharing their adventures. In her class, I developed my life-long-love of reading.  I am eternal gratefully to Mrs. Fornes.