I teach tk/k/first grade in a sped class. I love how wild and crazy and tiny kinders are. There’s tons of weird behaviors and social skills to learn and that’s kind of my jam. And it’s a shortened school day so when I start to get over the chaos it’s about time for them to go home. That and I love doing all the crafts and teaching through singing and playing. Plus it seems like you get more parental involvement than any other grade, which is cool if the parents like you. It’s also just so fun being their first elementary teacher. You get to introduce them to everything and if you’re staying at the same school, you get to watch them grow up a bit. There’s just so much love and fun in a kindergarten class.

I loved student teaching in middle school too. The sass and sarcasm is hilarious to me. They’re tons of fun and just starting to think deeply about the world. Maybe I just like kids best when they’re weird and have big volatile emotions.

If I ever had to leave the lower grades I’d want middle school. I know this might sound kind of Pollyanna, but to be honest, I totally believe all kids are good kids and I’d find something to love about any grade I taught.