This year, I have taught all the students at ND, except for first, and I feel a kind of connection when I walk down the halls of the school knowing almost every single student. That has never happened before, but now that it has, I feel more a part of everything. I love teaching older and younger elementary kids and I am happy that I could experience teaching all grades.

This year, going back to teaching lower elementary (2^nd and 3^rd) after teaching only upper elementary for the last few years, I am better understanding my teaching role and how it can depend on the grade. I have been pleasantly reminded HOW I need to adjust what I do, say and teach, to accommodate the students levels and needs.

One thing I really notice is how much more specific I need to be when I teach younger grades. With older graders, you can say, “Put away your notebook,” and they do it almost immediately, whereas with the lower graders you have to say it and then count down, while gesturing closing your notebook and pointing to those who are finished, saying, “Good job, Hanako.” Those small things I took for granted with upper elementary are quite big things with the younger grades.

On the other hand, all students, no matter their grade or level, love a good storybook and catchy tune. They love a good game and the feeling they get when they accomplishing something. They all enjoy being able to do something creative and personal, but also like to learn about current news and interesting topics related to science or history. They all come in wanting a challenge or even to challenge you and show you what they know (not see what you know).

There is a lot I still have to learn, but I think changing the grades I teach has given me great perspective and I am glad to be back with lower elementary kids. Despite being at the school for almost 6 years and having taught both 2^nd and 3^rd before, the classroom feels new and good; appropriate since I feel the same about Notre Dame.