Final Reflections: This year, I was especially proud of my students’ growth in reading and phonics. They truly excelled—many of them scored off the charts on the STAR assessments! It was rewarding to see their hard work and our instruction pay off so clearly.
One of the biggest improvements for me professionally was in my record keeping. Using the PAC recording sheet we developed, along with the end-of-year sheet I pass on to the first-grade teachers, helped me stay organized and better track student progress. It was a big step forward compared to previous years.
While I won’t be around next year, I’m excited that the district is moving toward a unified recording sheet. I believe having a shared tool that follows students from teacher to teacher will make a significant impact. I’m proud of the team that worked on this and glad to know that Scarsdale will be adopting a consistent, effective system moving forward.
Another highlight for me was learning how to incorporate more play into my classroom. I picked up new ideas and games to try with the kindergartners, and I found creative ways to weave play into the curriculum. It made the classroom more joyful and engaging—and it reminded me of how essential play is for young learners. I truly hope the collegial group continues to explore this topic. With the high academic expectations we face, it's easy for play to get pushed aside, but we all need more time to play—especially our students!