I am honored to be a guest on Pete Springer’s blog. Thank you, Pete, for the wonderful tribute. You are like Charlotte the spider, a dear friend who wrote about ‘some pig’. I am like Wilbur the pig, feeling terrific, radiant, and very humble. In the words of Wilbur to Charlotte (thank you, E.B. White), “You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.”
One of the unexpected blessings of starting a blog has been interacting with people globally with whom I would have never otherwise crossed paths. After I had written my book for new and inexperienced teachers, someone asked if I had ever considered starting a blog. I thought to myself, hmm, I could do that, but would anyone care what I have to say about anything?
Two and a half years later, I’m amazed at some of the remarkable people I’ve met. One of those individuals is a magnificent preschool teacher from Groton, Massachusetts, named Jennie Fitzkee. She has been in education for forty years (two of those at kindergarten and the last thirty-eight years as a preschool teacher at Groton Community School).
Jennie is passionate about the benefits of preschool. “Social and emotional development are number one. Children need to learn how to play, make friends, share…
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A Teacher's Reflections 
Such a great blog post. I love this blogging community!!
Thank you, Darlene. Yes, it is a great blogging community!
Thanks for being part of it, Darlene!
❤️
wonderful!
❤️
40 years of touching children’s lives. What a legacy!
“Teacher of teachers” is quite the praise. Cheers to you!
If I were a parent of a preschooler, I would want him/her in Jennie’s room. (The Aqua Room)
Yeah, Jennie, you are ‘some pig’!
🙂
Thank you, Laura. That means a lot!
Isn’t she, though?
I left a comment, Jennie. Delighted to see your lovely tribute on Pete’s blog.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete.
From sea to shining sea, Jennie makes her mark on us all.
that was a wonderful tribute by Pete, from one outstanding teacher to another…
Right back at you, Jim!
It was. Thank you, Jim.
That’s a wonderful tribute to you, and your brilliant work with your students.
It’s no wonder that Jennie is so beloved.
Thank you, Deborah. I was humbled.
It was my pleasure to write this piece, Jennie. One thing that makes teaching such a unique profession is that we see some immediate results in our students, but the real rewards come years later when we see them making their mark in the world. I can’t help but think of Eamonn and the other students you have impacted through your gift. There should be a picture of you in the dictionary under the word “teacher.”
That is so very kind, Pete. Yes, when we teachers are lucky enough to see the results down the road in our former students, that’s the icing on the cake. Your picture is right there, too.
This is such a lovely post, Jennie 🥰
We can all learn from one another, including the lessons the kids teach us.
Absolutely, Pete!
Thank you, Ritu! 💕
It was a super post, Jennie.
Jennie deserves all of the kudos she gets.
Indeed!
Pete Springer’s beautifully written tribute captures the true essence of Jennie! I came across two well-worn books tied together with a frayed ribbon at my monthly book swap just before Covid-19 shuttered it. I had put the books aside that way and after rediscovering them finally read the authorized biography of E. Paul Torrance. That led me to reading the other book authored by Torrance from 1995, “Why Fly? A philosophy of Creativity”, and finding this little treasure : “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few of these as there are of any other great artists. It might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” – John Steinbeck. YOU are definitely one of those few! Thank-you!
I love that quote, Ellen. Teaching is an art. I often think back to my master teacher, Cynthia Van Vleck. After a few minutes in her room, I knew I was watching an artist.
My goodness, what a terrific quote. Steinbeck’s words, especially “…the medium is the human mind and spirit” ring true. Thank you for thinking of me, Ellen.
You deserved every bit of recognition and more! Pete’s tribute was so touching to read! To know that there are teachers like you out there in the world (and Pete prior to retirement) just gives me hope for my daughter’s future in the school system! I hope she meets a teacher that inspires her with love, care and compassion just as you have shown to your students over the years!!! 🧡
Thank you, Jen. I want to go back to elementary school and be a student in Pete’s class, listening to him read aloud. None of my teachers ever did that. I’m sure your daughter will have some outstanding teachers along the way.
It cuts both ways, BB. We, teachers, love our involved parents like you because we know you will provide the support that your child needs. One of the first things I did after I got my class list was look down my roster and start looking for those active parents. Come volunteer in class, go on the field trips, get involved with PTA—there are tons of ways to contribute.
So nice to meet you, Jennie, thanks to Pete! Friends are forever, and friends on the blogsphere are friends forever more. 🙂
Yes!! 😀
Congratulations, Jennie. Pete has written a lovely tribute to you and your teaching methods.
Thank you, Robbie. Pete is a master at writing, and I am humbled at his post.
Jennie, this is simply wonderful!
Thank you, Charles. I was humbled.
Congratulations, I think you deserve it. I’ve ventured into some of your posts. Everything’s amazing.
If I could, I’d write the same thing for you.
Thank you.
Pete wrote such a wonderful tribute to you! It was a real joy to read.
He really did, Liz. I was (and still am) humbled. I’m glad you enjoyed reading his post.
🙂
Heading over! ❤
😊
Congratulations, and thank you for becoming part of Pete’s posting, Jennie! A great and true homage. Sorry for another delay, and have a nice week. xx Michael
Thanks so much, Michael!