Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thursday's Thought


I'd like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to one of the best teachers we have ever had at the Garden School - Miss Leigh. She came to us as a college student who had never taught and never really worked with young children. The first day she came, she moved slowly with the kids. I was sure she wasn't sure about the whole venture. I knew she would be spectacular if she would only give it a chance. I knew she had that something special. I had known her as a child, and her love of life was just the thing I was looking for.

Leigh came in at a very difficult time - the end of the year. One teacher moving out, and she was expected to move in. She managed to rise to every occasion, treat everyone with respect and friendship, and at the same time, she was able to bond with every child, meet the parents and earn a heap of respect from everyone.

It took about two weeks before she was ready to do every job at the Garden School, produce class after class, meet with the parents, make growing choices that made a difference, come up with innovative ideas, implement them and make them work. There was no job too menial, no job too tough, and no job, in the entire time she has been at the Garden School, which was left undone or which was carelessly done. Her work ethic is top notch. She is an asset to anything she touches.

Leigh is #5 child in a wonderful line of children from a great home in Newburgh. Her parents are the salt of the earth. I've known this family for thirty years and can honestly say that I love them all.

Leigh has taught reading. Not an easy job. Every one of her little people managed to learn to read something. Words, sentences, books. The children LOVED her and all she did for them. They came from her class excited, enthusiastic, proud, and knowing that they could accomplish anything they started...just like Miss Leigh.

She was our brilliant artist! She did so many fine projects with the kids. She painted the backdrops for the plays, made every kind of extra, had a hand in every learning experience. How can we ever thank her for all she has been to us?

Her enthusiasm for every project, occasion, play, tea, Christmas event was outstanding. Even her enthusiasm about lunch was an occasion for celebration every day. You know what that means to the cook!

We will miss her very much this coming school year. We wish her well in her new adventure in Louisville. She has been a Godsend to us, and we know that in everything she does, she will be blessed because her work comes directly from the heart.

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