First Grade - Caitlyn

Dear Parents and Scholars of 1A:

I would like to take a moment to extend my gratitude for a fantastic year!  First I have a little story to tell you:

About a year ago, I was working two jobs to pay the bills.  Often, I would work for over a month without a day off.  I worked hours anywhere from 4:00 a.m to 4 a.m.  I was really starting to lose vision of the goals I had in college and was worried that my fate was to stay behind a register while my dreams faded away.  I thought about being a teacher all of time and, in hind-sight, thought my career choices simply led me to a dead-end.  I talked about being a teacher with my friends and family, made budgets and pro/con lists for how to get back to school, and contemplated moving out of the country but there was part of the plan that was missing and it kept me back from taking the big step. 

One of the people I shared my dreams with was a regular customer at my job at a grocery store.  He was a teacher and I told him how I wanted to be a teacher someday.  (Even as a little girl, I would play school any chance I had to teach a younger friend or my sister!)  He offered ideas, but those did not lead me to where I needed to go.  Months passed by and I was back to worrying about my future more than ever.  Then Mr. MacDonald came to my checkout line, and I could tell he had something exciting to tell me.  ‘He must be going on vacation again!’ I thought to myself.  But that was not it.  He had Great Hearts to tell me about!  Not only did he tell me about this wonderful opportunity, but he checked in with me every time he came to my store, he called me to give me encouragement and guidance when I was preparing for my interview and he provided a reference during my hiring process.

After I was hired, we spoke for a couple of hours.  He told me that he just “knew” I had something to offer and that it was always important to him to pay forward a grace that was bestowed to him as a young adult.  In England, a man similarly helped him become a teacher and he never looked back.  However, what he did was tell himself, he would recognize it when he could do the same for another.  And he did.  He helped me make a dream come true and there are few acts more generous than that.

It has been a dream come true to teach your children!

I have learned so much in the past year!  Despite wanting to be a teacher and working with kids in the past, this experience has been more fulfilling and enlightening than I ever imagined it could be.  The parents of 1A have shown amazing commitment to their children and could win gold medals in the Olympics for Parenting!  You are role models and I am sad to see you move on to second grade with your kiddos.  It pleases me to know that others will be fortunate enough to experience your generosity and dedication.  The lessons that each of you taught me this year will be cherished and remain with me always.

You can trust that you always have a friend in Ms. Spriggs and that I promise to pass forward the good graces you have gifted me.  By friendship, I came to Archway Arête and in friendship, I have become a member of an amazing community.  Please visit, send post cards, or email even just if to say, “Hi”.  As my first class, you hold an extra special place in my heart and I look forward to watching you grow and develop into wonderful people and seekers of truth, beauty, and goodness!

Thank you all for working with us this year.  My deepest appreciation also goes out to Coach Cook and Miss Bolzman.  They tirelessly managed the behind the scenes here in 1A while teaching their own classes.  Thanks also to all of our wonderful volunteers!

Best regards and best of luck in 2^nd grade,

Ms. Spriggs.

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To the parents of 1A:

It has been a pleasure getting to know such a wonderful group of students in my first year of teaching. Not only did I get to be their PE teacher, but I was able to be in the classroom as one of their assistant teachers too. Getting the opportunity to know this group on a more personal level was a rewarding experience. To learn with them, grow with them and see all of our friendships develop are things I will never forget. I am proud of their diligence and perseverance in work and play. I know they will enjoy second grade!

Kind regards,

Coach Cook

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Dear 1A,

Thank you for a wonderful year! I hope you've learned half as much as I have from the time we spent together in the classroom doing phonograms, reading stories, and singing. You have all taught me something in your own way which I value greatly. We've practiced everything together, from walking in the halls, to phonogram reviews, to Concert dress rehearsals! You are all so talented and inquisitive! I hope you continue to ask hard questions, seeking to know how things work, and why they work the way they do. Keep asking questions, and keep singing!! I will miss hearing your voices every week in music class, but look forward to hearing you all sing in concert with Mrs. Kaye.

Have a great summer and I'll see you around campus next fall!

Miss Bolzman