Our first parent event at school is Back-To-School Night. We have a meet-and-greet, parents connect with each other and with teachers, and we talk about our philosophy and curriculum.
Then, parents make a family photo collage for their child. It stays at school for the year, and becomes an important piece of home to school. Children treasure their family photo collages. They share them with each other, proudly talking about their family. They often sleep with their collages, too.
Teachers make a photo collage, too. Here is mine.
This side is me growing up, my family, Hubby, our siblings,
and special photos.
This side is my house, children, grandchildren.
Children love the teacher photo collages as much as their own. I’m not surprised, because we are all – all – one family together. When teachers connect with children on the most basic of levels, it serves as a bridge, letting children know;
I am like you. I understand you.
Recently Penny, a book lover, came rushing over to show me this photo:
“Jennie, It’s you and Steve!”
By golly, she was right. It’s much like the picture of me and (hubby) Steve. Penny was bringing my family into our Aqua Room family. This happens all the time.
The more I connect with children, the more they care, and the more they listen and learn. I become more than a teacher, I become a Learning Coach.
I will always sit on the floor.
I will always tell true Jennie Stories.
I will always read aloud.
I will always sing.
I will always marvel at nature.
I will always listen to children.I will always embrace every new moment and adventure that children discover and run with it.
Thank you, Penny!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Simply beautiful! I wish you and yours a happy and blessed New Year, Jennie! Sorry, i am late. But it seems to become my tradition. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much, Michael! No worries, as I’m the queen of being late. 😀 Best to you!
lovely photos lovely post 💜💜
Thank you, Willow. ❤️
💜💜💜
Fantastic! Sharing. Connecting. Being one family. Learning from each other. Compassion. Humanity. Love. That’s education!
You get it, Opher. Yes, that’s education. Children can’t learn until all of that happens.
How wonderful, Jennie!
Thank you, GP!
I love your family photo collage! When learners relate to teachers, more learning happens. Being a learning coach is so important. And Penny recognizing you and Steve in the book is priceless! xo
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Darlene. I wish you could have seen Penny when she ‘discovered’ us in the illustration. Definitely priceless. 😍
Love this!
I’m so glad! Thank you, Alice.
This is wonderful, Jennie. Being there with the children and interacting with them at their level. It must make them feel so good.
Yes…it’s being with children at their level that opens the door to learning. And, it makes them feel SO good. Thank you, Dan.
Love your collage because it screams, “I like you. I’ve been here, too.” Well done, Jennie!
Thank you, Frank! I’m glad my collage screams that. It’s so important.
I love this and yours is so cute and shows you over the years. p.s. ‘snow’ is the very first book I ever read by myself, and I read it every year to my classes and told them the story. years ago, a colleague bought me a copy as a gift, after hearing me talk about it over and over.
What a wonderful story! Sharing the first book you ever read, and reading it to your class is all about connection – of which you were a master. I love the P.D. Eastman books and often read them to children. I’m so glad you liked this, Beth!
That’s a lovely connection!
Thank you, Deborah!
What lovely family photos! Is that a swimming pool I see in your garden?
Thank you, Stevie! Yes, there’s a flower garden on the outside of the house, and also a swimming pool beyond that. It’s our ‘Isle of Wight’.🙂
Sounds wonderful!
😍
The family photo collage is a great idea!
Thank you, Anneli. I wish I’d thought about doing this decades ago.
At least you’re doing it now!
Yes!
The family photo collage is a fantastic idea! It’s always good for children to know that their teacher is a real person.
Well said, Liz. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Another great idea, Jennie. Is that you in the ballerina tutu?
Thanks, Don! Yes, that’s me in the ballerina tutu, and that’s me on the couch with our black lab who taught me how to walk (a Jennie Story). See how my arm is in his mouth? 😀
Wow
😀
Wonderful history here Jennie.
Thank you, Cindy.
what a great way to get to know each other!
Thanks, Jim.
Another brilliant idea, Jennie. I imagine the children will treasure these family collages forever. Of course, I’m a big believer in teachers getting into the spirit of any project too.
I can just feel Penny’s excitement as she ran up to you to show the picture of you and Steve. 😊
Thank you, Pete. By the end of the school year the collages are ‘well loved and well worn’. I know you can picture Penny running up to me. It was a great moment! 😀
Yeat another great idea that I never had at school. I loved seeing your own collage, and it made me think about how phone cameras make it so much easier to do those kinds of things these days.
Best wishes, Pete.
I often think of the benefits of phone cameras. It’s great for the children to see their teacher as a ‘real’ person with a family. Glad you enjoyed my collage! Best to you, Pete.
This warmed my heart. You are 100% right on.
I’m so glad! Thank you, Marlene.
Love your family collage, Jennie!
I’m so glad! Thank you, Becky.
My pleasure!
Simply marvelous Jennie so nice to see you with your lovely family. Nice poem too.
Thank you, Kamal.
How lovely, Jennie. Is that you in the ballerina dress? The kids must love that! A fun and very special project for the kids. A beautiful post.
Yes, that’s me! These are the photos that connect me to children. Yes, it is fun and very special, we do this every year. Thank you, Diana!
❤
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️
What a fabulous start to any New Year Jennie, to be surrounded by a Collage of smiles, love and family…. I loved looking at your photos Jennie…
May you always be that Learning Coach
“I will always sit on the floor.
I will always tell true Jennie Stories.
I will always read aloud.
I will always sing.
I will always marvel at nature.
I will always listen to children.
I will always embrace every new moment and adventure that children discover and run with it.
Have a Blessed New Year and a wonderful New Term with your ‘ Family’..
Much love.. Sue xx ❤
Thank you so much, Sue! I’m so glad you liked this. Your words are a treasure. 😍
💓💕💓
❤️
Such a great tradition, I love picture collages and seeing how people change over the years. Your thoughts and ideas on connections are spot on!
Thank you, Marcia! I’m so glad you liked this, and your comment is wonderful!
Hi Jennie, this is a lovely post and I really enjoyed your collages. I think that is a very nice idea for children.
Thank you, Robbie. It really connects teachers with children, which is so important, and gives children a piece of home at school.
Hi Jennie, I certainly never experienced the love at school you give. It is very nice and I’m sure it is a huge aid to learning.
I never experienced it as a child, either. I was the shy, scared child, and I think a warm, loving environment would have made me a better learner.
I am sure you are right
🙂
What an awesome idea. I know my daughter did a collage, but I’m not sure how old she was. It is still hanging on the wall at my house. You are definitely a learning coach, Jennie. A wonderful term for what we should all be doing.
Hi Carla, how wonderful that you still have her collage. Thank you for your kind words! 💕