Jennifer Aguado has been teaching at Stafford Elementary for eleven years. She taught pre-K for nine years, kindergarten for one year and last year she taught fourth grade. She loved the experience of teaching fourth graders but her heart is with the little ones.

“I love that I am back teaching pre-K. This is what I want to do, teach the little ones. This room is my room, it is where I first began teaching – in this room. I am going back ‘to my roots’ so to speak,” explained Jennifer.

Jennifer went on to say, “I know some of the students were upset when they found out I was going back to teach pre-K. I was told ‘Now we are never going to have you for a teacher’. But I will see them in the hall and visit with them that way.”

I asked Jennifer what was the difference in teaching fourth grade compared to teaching pre-K. She replied, “It is the difference in attitude. The older students are more likely to complain about doing the work and their attitude is one of — we have to go to school, not we are excited about going to school. Where the younger students are so eager to learn and they can’t wait to come to school. I had a parent call and tell me that her child was crying because she couldn’t come to school on Saturday and Sunday!”

Aguado’s goal for her students this year is to keep them motivated, keeping them wanting to learn and have them prepared for kindergarten.

Jennifer said, “I am so excited about school this year. I can’t keep from smiling, I love to see the smiles on the kids faces. When kids are happy they are more eager to learn.”