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She started her career at Washington Township, filling in for several teachers as they took leaves of absence, taught Head Start, the academic STP program, worked with ESL, taught a brief stint in first grade, and then moved to Kindergarten when it changed to full time Kindergarten, where she has been ever since.
As students gathered round displaying their latest works of art, it was apparent that each child feels important in Vanessa's classroom. Not only were their works of art duly appreciated, but there were plenty of hugs and encouragement to go around as well.
When asked what she finds special about her role as Kindergarten teacher, Vanessa stated, "The discoveries they make keep you going. The little lights that go on as they learn something new are wonderful! They come in every day and they are fresh and excited. They learn letters they didn't know before. It's one day after another of new discoveries that make it each day unique."
Clearly proud of the accomplishments of her students, however small they may seem to adults, she added, "When they learned to tie their shoes, it was so rewarding to share their excitement of that accomplishment."
Though important, the ABC's and 123's aren't all for these nineteen students, they grow in so many more ways, from learning how to take turns, how to be kind and considerate, and how important it is to be sharing and caring; all social markers that each child needs just as much as the basics as they begin their educational journey. They even share the fun of "Super Gibson", a superhero who cleans up the playground so they can play safely.
Learning is fun in Vanessa's classroom and I suspect that a lot of the learning is so wrapped up in excitement and discovery that this small class may never fully realize they were learning life long lessons along with learning to read.
It was once said, "If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded." Using that quote as a marker it is obvious to anyone who spends even a few minutes in Vanessa's classroom that she has succeeded and her students have benefited. There is an abundance of "Good job!" and "Way to go!" which emphasize that she encourages each accomplishment. This shows how much she truly cares for each of these children. There are plenty of hugs to go around as well.
Stating, "I don't think anybody else has as much fun as I do!" only underscores her caring nature as Kindergarten teacher.
As I prepared to leave, one young man asked if I as a photographer could see things that others could not when I took photos. To which I smiled and told him, "I see the world in a different way through my camera. And sometimes I can sense who you are as a person through my camera lens."
Using what I can only describe as my "Mommy instincts", I went around the room "spelling" out words of encouragement for each child I "saw" on their foreheads. And while doing so, I felt if only for a brief moment, the excitement and sense of fun Vanessa lives every day.
Vanessa Spring is not only a Kindergarten teacher but she is a role model for her young charges of the importance of love and compassion as well. They have learned not only the basics in her classroom, but they have also learned that showing others caring is important too.
Rushing up to me were several children who gave me hugs and thanked me for coming to visit. To this reporter that was a perfect way to begin my day. For, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like the unconditional affection of a child that makes you feel special and in Vanessa's classroom there is such an overflow that it reaches beyond the classroom doors.
Thank you Ms. Spring and class, for allowing me to visit your classroom for a brief time. It was a wonderful experience getting to know you and one of many I will treasure as I continue my stint as a reporter. And remember, you as a class are very "S-P-E-C-I-A-L" to many people, myself included, and you have your teacher with her love of teaching to thank for that and for so much more as well.
