Last year at this time all of my teaching was done remotely. It was hard, and I reached out in so many ways to make things fun and keep a connection with my preschoolers. Here is what I did, in full ‘costume’, and what I wrote:
This all has to do with Gloria, in a BIG way.
“My preschoolers hear me recite the classic story “Goodnight Moon” every day at school, just before chapter reading. Sometimes they ask me to do it the ‘silly way’, either interjecting their names into the story, or making a beat as I recite the words. So, I made them this video of me doing the “Goodnight Moon Rap.” I miss them so much. I hope this makes them smile on a rainy day.”
Beth, a former parent, saw this post on FaceBook. Well, she’s much more than a former parent – her child was the one who made Gloria who she is today. Really. Before I tell the story, here are our back-and-forth comments on FB:
Beth
That is just so awesome Jennie! We miss you so much and wish we could freeze time in the Aqua Room. Colin is about to get his drivers license 
. So many emotions about that! Missing everyone at GCS
Jennie
It’s so good to hear from you! I think of Colin often. Please tell him that ‘Gloria’ says hello. I can’t believe he is getting his driver’s license. Where has the time gone? As soon as school can open their doors to families, past and present, I really look forward to seeing the Flood family, especially Colin.
Beth
I will. He loved Gloria! Will have to find a picture of him with her. Absolutely we will be back for a visit… hopefully soon. He’s actually at the movies tonight with Sam Brewster! Friends forever, including Sam Landry. 
Jennie
That’s wonderful! Hope you find a picture. I’m so glad to hear that Colin is still friends with Sam and Sam. We need a GCS reunion.
So, how did Gloria the puppet become Gloria the person?
I know puppets help teach preschoolers. Any good teacher knows that. When I first realized that a puppet in the classroom would be a great teaching tool, I had no idea that it could be, or would be, so powerful in teaching both the children and me. That was twenty-five years ago.
When I discovered Gloria among a collection of Folkmanias puppets, I knew she would ‘work’. I have watched other teachers use multicultural puppets, but we’re not a very diverse community. A three-year-old back then was not as likely to meet children or people from other countries or races. BUT, they would meet old people, shy people, people with disabilities, or those who were not beautiful. If my puppet represented the differences that preschoolers encountered, she would be far more effective than a multicultural puppet. Accepting differences that are familiar to children is the first step to accepting global differences. Learning is all about building blocks, and I had to start with something that was ‘different’.
For a number of years Gloria (named by the children, of course) lived in a picnic basket on top of my cabinets in the classroom. She came out as part of our curriculum every month or so. She was always a big hit, and very successful introducing everything from emotions, to how to count, or sing the ABC’s. Once a month, everyone loved Gloria.
One day I forgot to put her back into the picnic basket. She was on the little couch in the classroom. Children walked over to talk with her. They brought her toys and held her. This was a big wake-up call for me. Why had I kept her in the picnic basket, when every ‘visit’ in the classroom was so successful and important? I was not seeing Gloria as a person, and the children were. Gloria continued to ‘live’ on the couch.
One day I took Colin to the bathroom at rest time, and he looked very pensive.
“Jennie, can Gloria come to my house for a sleepover?”
I wasn’t sure what to say, as this was a first.
“Colin, Gloria has never been on a sleepover. I don’t know.”
“I have a night light. She won’t be scared.”
“Colin, I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have a talk with her.”
He did! And Gloria was fine.
When Beth sent me this photo of Colin and Gloria, I asked her, “Beth, do you remember when Colin was the the first child to take Gloria home for a sleepover?
She answered, “Yes I do remember that, Jennie. He was so enamored by her. Took her home every weekend for a while until the other kids started getting wind of it and wanted to start taking her home too.”
Therefore, I started a Gloria journal. Now, she was living on the couch, and was spending some weekends with children. The journal was instrumental in recording Gloria’s adventures and making a bigger connection with both children and families. If there was a fire in the school and I could only grab one artifact, it would be Gloria and her journal. That year Erin took Gloria Trick-or-Treating. Really. Gloria was Minnie Mouse. Her parents were a little annoyed that other neighborhood families Trick-or-Treating did not ‘get it’.
This is Gloria’s first journal, one of three
packed with stories and photos.
“Why is the witch dressed as Minnie Mouse?”, people asked them. The family told me (with much frustration.)
“I kept telling them that she’s not a witch. She’s dressed up for Trick-or-Treat as Minnie Mouse. Why didn’t they understand?”
Ahh… Gloria is very real, indeed.
Colin is now in 10th grade, and Gloria continues to give children love, hope, understanding, and great memories.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Just wonderful, Jennie! You should have little Gloria figures made. It would be a great giveaway and a wonderful mascot for your school. Gloria as Minnie Mouse is definitely the best. Lol But one can see how hearttouching she is. Thank you for telling, Jennie! Have a beautiful rest of the week! Michael
Thank you so much, Michael! 🥰
🥰
This is gorgeous, Jennie. The origins of Gloria. How delightful.
BTW, did you see a tweet I sent you about a Goodnight Moon artistic installation. I tried to send it on Facebook where I saw it but couldn’t, so tweeted it. I’m not on Twitter very often so don’t know if you’ve seen it.
PS I’ve just read your flash fiction at the Ranch. https://carrotranch.com/2021/04/22/seeds-of-generosity/ It’s excellent. You could have added it into this post. Or given it a post of its own.
Well, you’re right, but I didn’t think of adding that. At least it will be a stand-alone post tomorrow. That seems fitting as a follow up to today’s Gloria post. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Norah. Thank you!
It will be perfect!
🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed Gloria’s backstory. I love the photo of her with Colin! No, I did not see your tweet. Honestly, I rarely go to Twitter, but I will look for it. Thank you, Norah.
If you can’t find it, I’ll try to find the story again. Actually, it was easy to find. Here it is: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/step-pages-goodnight-moon-180977323/
Thank you, Norah! What a wonderful exhibit. Can you believe the head NYC children’s librarian refused to carry the book? I read that otherwise it would have been the #1 checked-out book at the library.
Some things never fail to astonish, Jennie. 🙂
I know! 🙂
Oh,I love this!
I’m so glad! 🥰
What a joy it must be to attend classes at your school Jennie. I can’t imagine a single student not wanting to be there every day.
Huge Hugs
That is so nice, David. Thank you!
It is wonderful how go all out for the children. They become your children as you entertain and educate them! Too bad all teachers can’t be this open and caring. BRAVO, Jennie!
Yes, the children really do become my own. Thank you so much, GP.
It is a wise teacher who is willing to be taught by her children. It benefits everyone.
Words of wisdom, Pam!
Nicely put
🙂
And THAT’S why the luckiest kids in the world go through your classroom!
Aww…🥰 Thank you, Barb. Seems you either make me laugh or cry. That’s a good thing!
Lucky Gloria to be part of your classroom. And lucky you and the children to have Gloria there. I love that the parents still keep in touch with you. The picture of Colin and Gloria is great!
I think Gloria brings so much luck to everyone, and it sticks. I love the Colin and Gloria photo, too! Thank you, Darlene. I wrote about Gloria on Charli’s 99 word flash prompt, “seeds of generosity”. Doesn’t that perfectly fit Gloria? 🙂
I read your story and it fits perfectly!!
Thank you, Darlene!
I love that it was the children who made Gloria… well Gloria. They were the ones who started the connection and brought her to life
Exactly!! Thank you, Lori.
An update of ‘The’ Colin I’ve read about in your past posts…fantastic recounting of the emergence of Gloria as a person (Velveteen Rabbit, anyone?).
I wondered if Gloria’s name came from your generational knowledge of the “G-L-O-R-I-A” song but it makes more sense that the kiddos named her!
😉
Yes, the same Colin! I hadn’t thought about the comparison with the Velveteen Rabbit. Wow! You’re not the first person who has wondered about the song 😅 but the children really did name her. Thanks, Laura.
This was wonderful learning the origins of Gloria. And the Good Night Moon rap was spectacular! I swear Jennie, you’re like a female version of Mr. Rogers!🤗
Thank you, Kim! When my assistant teacher left a few years ago, our director asked her if I hadn’t done enough for her. She replied with “Jennie is the modern day Mr. Rogers.” Wow! And now you have a similar comment…my heart is full. 🥰
I’m glad you enjoyed Gloria’s backstory. I figured it was time people knew. Doing the rap was really fun!
The story of Gloris touches my heart every time she features on your blog. Every school in the world should have a Gloria, and a Jennie to show them how to love children.
Best wishes, Pete.
Sorry about the typo, I need to slow down!
No worries! 🙂
That is so kind, Pete. Thank you! I’m glad Gloria touches your heart, too.
What a great story, Jennie! I got goosebumps.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ‘Bout time people knew her backstory. The photo of Colin melts my heart. 🥰
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I love everything about Gloria!
Thanks so much, Becky!
I absolutely love the history behind Gloria!
Thank you, Ritu. She’s a gem with a great backstory.
Great story, Jennie. It is good to catch up with Gloria’s background.
Glad you liked it, John!
Another beautiful story, Jennie. Two key elements for me: 1. Kids think of things we haven’t considered all the time. In Colin’s mind, having a sleepover with Gloria seemed like a normal thing to do. You were smart enough to run with the idea and enhanced it by adding the journal. I’ll never forget when a little guy in my class brought in some invitations for a sleepover and gave one to me too. I obviously didn’t go, although now that I think about it, it’s not that different from taking sixth graders on a campout which I did many times. 2. Another part of your delightful story is hearing that Colin and the two Sams are still buddies.
I thought you would really enjoy this, Pete. Thank you! She has a great backstory. Kids often think outside of the box; we just have to pay attention and give support. I literally wrote down Colin’s words as soon as we got back to the classroom, as they were remarkable, and just how a child would think. I love your story of getting invited to a sleepover! That speaks volumes for you. I didn’t realize that he was still friends with the two Sams until his mom told me.
Keep changing lives, my friend!
That’s what I try to do. 🙂 Thanks, Pete.
No one who has met her will ever forget Gloria.
I think you speak wise and true words! 🙂
A Good Night Moon Rap and Gloria’s backstory… Basking in the beauty of it all! ❤
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Bette! ThNk you. 🥰
Hugs & Happy Weekend, Jennie! 😍
I remember the Good Night Moon Rap–a big favorite! Thank you for providing Gloria’s backstory, particularly your reasoning for choosing her rather than a multicultural doll. I also appreciated Gloria’s “coming out of the picnic basket.” Nobody wants to be relegated to curriculum!
I’m glad you liked the backstory and understood my reasoning for choosing Gloria. I saw her in a store and immediately knew she would work for my community. It was an ah-ha moment. Leave it to children to see things in a way that we all should; of course Gloria shouldn’t be in a picnic basket, she was real. 🙂 Doing the Goodnight Moon Rap was really fun!
I wonder if the person who created Gloria has any idea of the impact she’s had!
Hmmm… do you mean the manufacturer F!
Oops… Folkmanis puppets is the maker. I hadn’t thought of that. They’re top of the line. No wonder Gloria has held up for so long.
I have many Folkmanis puppets. As I write I am watched over by the protective eagle and the loving dog. I know that they are real, so I have no trouble identifying with the kids’ view of Gloria.
That is wonderful, Elizabeth! I love their eagle and dog. They do make the best puppets, who become very real. 🙂
In therapy I used many of the finger puppets to explore my childhood trauma. They spoke right up!
They always do, much like a beloved pet. 🙂
This is a very nice story, Jennie. I had a rag doll who was my Gloria. Her name was Mary Lou. I would have dressed her up for Halloween too. I even sewed clothes for her – by hand in those days.
That is a lovely story, Robbie. Do you still have Mary Lou? I never mastered sewing like my sisters did.
My mother gave this doll to one of my sister’s children and she didn’t look after it. I was upset but let it go because there was nothing else to be done. About 7 years ago I discovered an elderly lady who made rag dolls to exactly the same pattern. I ordered four ( partly to help her out) and I still have these new ones.
Sometimes when a window closes another one opens. While Mary Lou is gone, you found a new doll maker.
You are right, Jennie. And now I have four dolls, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.
You named them after “Little Women” – wonderful!
I love Gloria.
I will tell her you said that, Michele. 🥰
It was good I mean really good and you’re making the childhood of those really memorable and beautiful..
Thank you.
This is such a sweet amazing writeup. It feels so mesmerising to know how much our teachers work for each thing presented in the class! I am in college right now and this post has moved me to get in touch with my school teachers! Thank you!
Jenny, I lovedddddddddddddddd your rap! ❤
See, you and Sally and I could be dangerous on a night out dancing and karaoke. Who knew a 70 year old preschool teacher would rap? 😂 Wait! You could be my backup singers! 🤣
Wait! We will! LOL. No shame here! We just need to get rid of Covid so we can move freely. ❤
Oh, yes!!! I have everything we need…boas, rhinestone cat eye glasses, white long gloves. We’ll bring the house down. 😍
Sounds like my kind of attire lol 🙂 x
😀
This is wonderful.
Gee, maybe Gloria might want to sit up at a certain bar we both know and tell of some of her adventures…
Thanks, D. Oh boy, Gloria has had more adventures than we have. And she’s the shy one. Somehow that makes everyone love her. She has even sparked a quilt that hangs at a national museum. Really. She can tell you many of her tales.