By Bonnie Weppner, Pioneer Preparatory School Teacher
I started my career 44 years ago teaching kindergarten to recent immigrant students, including the children of migrant farm workers, who had previously not been allowed to attend public schools in Texas. It’s amazing to me that my first kindergarten students are now 49 years old!
My career has come full circle, as I am now teaching kindergarten to English Language Learner students of immigrant families in Arizona.
I continue to be motivated by the excitement and the daunting responsibility of being the first contact with formal education for my students! I am honored to introduce my Spanish-speaking scholars and families to the excitement of learning and growing in ways they could never have imagined, which is exactly what they tell me every year at kindergarten graduation. In turn, they present me with opportunities to grow every day in my teaching skills, and to love this profession even more!
As an example of that growth and love, I would like to introduce you to Jairo. His first weeks consisted of his mother literally pulling him into our classroom, while he howled and clung to her. I would give him a big bear hug, and she would leave as he lunged and yelled, a heart-breaking scene for both mom and for me! The second week, mom sent her older daughter to tell me, in English, that her brother was too far behind, and would not be able to function in our class. I empathized and also reassured them that he could and would rise to our expectations for him.
Slowly, over weeks, Jairo began entering the room on his own. Many of his classmates had yet to speak more than a few words of English, but that was the perfect atmosphere for our “sharing and caring” behaviors, words, and attitudes that overcome language and all other barriers successfully. Our counselor met with the family for support, as well. Within six weeks, mom gave me a big hug, in tears, saying, “Thank you, teacher!” She tells me that he now cries when he can’t come to school on the weekends!
Jairo was sick for four of five days several weeks ago, and upon his return, the children clapped and cheered to see him. He gave me a big bear hug, and then sat down to begin working. At the end of Friday, he gave two boys a fist bump, and said, “Bye, bye! Miss you” (for the weekend), and gave a big hug to a girl that sits near him. All that from a boy who was unable to interact or write four months ago! Oh, and he scored 80 percent on a recent spelling test! What better example of motivation to continue teaching!
Throughout my career, I have thousands of stories from students just like Jairo. As a kindergarten teacher, my goal is to foster a deep love of learning for all my students to take with them through high school and beyond. To be an influence and to make a difference each and every day for these children is priceless.
To work at Pioneer Preparatory School as a team with other amazing teachers and leaders is how I remain passionate after 44 years. I consider it a privilege to teach in Arizona and at my charter school in Maryvale, where students are challenged to do their best. We see their language and culture as an advantage that enriches our country.
Bonnie Weppner shared her story with the Arizona House of Representatives Education Committee on March 5. She began her career 44 years ago, teaching kindergarten to recent immigrant students, including the children of migrant farm workers, who had previously not been allowed to attend public schools in Texas. Bonnie received her B.S. in Elementary Education & M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2017, she was named the Association’s Charter Teacher of Year.
