February 2009

Be Careful What You Wish For by Cindy Harvey
Lea Ann Duncan, a truly S.M.A.R.T. Teacher

Last summer, one lone kindergarten teacher from Dyersburg, Tennessee attended a S.M.A.R.T. workshop, sent by her principal to see what S.M.A.R.T. was all about. Here is her amazing story how S.M.A.R.T. took hold at her school, Dyersburg Primary School, and how they’ve kept it going strong.


The Beginning of the story:
Taken from Lea Ann Duncan’s e-mail to the S.M.A.R.T. Workshop presenters August 7, 2008

“….I got back from training this summer. (Girls, I came back pumped!!!) I talked to my principal and said, “If you ever want someone to do this full time, please consider me.” My principal said, “I doubt that will happen, but if a miracle happens I will definitely consider you. But I still want you to set up the S.M.A.R.T. room and be in charge of it.”

Okay, so now it’s Aug. 7 and I have half my class for small group day, their first day of school. At 9:00 a substitute came to my room and said my principal wanted to see me. OK, you all, this NEVER happens on the first day – you just don’t call a kindergarten teacher of all people out of the room and leave a substitute. Holy Cow!!! I peaked into the next door teacher and said, “The principal wants to see me. . . I am scared.” So I go to the office and the first person I see is the superintendent, and then the assistant principal and the principal. I’m worried at this point so I say, “I guess I’m in trouble.” The superintendent just laughs, but nobody else said anything and they were not smiling. So I sit down and they shut the door. (I’ve always learned, when the door shuts, it is important and could be serious. So my eyes are like saucers, I am sure.)

So, the principal says, “Lea Ann, you know you should never ask for anything that you don’t really mean.” So now my teaching career is flashing before my eyes. What have I asked for lately. . . a tent for a dark room, more supplies. . . am I too demanding?. . . AND THEN I see my principal smiling. She said, “We want you to be our full time S.M.A.R.T. teacher for this year. Our numbers are down and we’re going to take your class and redistribute the children among the 11 remaining kindergarten classrooms.”

OKAY you all!!! If I could have had the song “CELEBRATE” from Kool and the Gang, I would have discoed right then and there. OMG!!! What a dream come true!!!!. . . . I haven’t been this excited about teaching in such a long time. I love teaching kindergarten but this (S.M.A.R.T.) just touched my heart in so many ways. If I can’t do this full time for my school in the future, I know at least I had a part in getting it started. Thanks for the great training. I’m soooooo. . . . excited!!!!”

The Middle of the Story

Lea Ann did a terrific job teaching the CORE S.M.A.R.T. program to all 11 kindergarten classes for 25-30 minutes each day. It was a Cadillac program in which each kindergarten teacher stayed in the S.M.A.R.T. room with Lea Ann and assisted the students with activities. The mentor noted in September what an outstanding program they had in place already, however, by October, Lea Ann had to transfer into a 2nd grade classroom to replace a teacher who’d taken a medical leave.

By that time, though, the principal and staff were so committed to the program and continuity for the kindergarteners that through their combined enthusiasm, they found the funding to bring a S.M.A.R.T. workshop to their school in December to train ALL the kindergarten teachers!

The End of the Story

All kindergarten classes are back on track and doing a superb job with their S.M.A.R.T. activities! The mentor just visited and observed kids having fun and on-task with high quality moves. Teachers were enthusiastic and are working hard to keep kids engaged, motivated, moving, and enjoying S.M.A.R.T. activities, both in the S.M.A.R.T. room and their classrooms.

Epilogue

When Lea Ann was asked for approval to share her story, she stated “…..I felt so good the day all of this happened.  But you know, I still feel good, even though I am no longer the full time S.M.A.R.T. person.  I am so proud that our school felt strongly enough about S.M.A.R.T. to train the rest of the Kindergarten teachers. I was so fortunate to have been able to help out the teacher that went on medical leave.”

And the principal reports that Lea Ann has been selected to be the system representative for the Pre-K through 4th grade Teacher of the Year!

CONGRATULATIONS to Dyersburg Primary School for taking the risks needed to start and maintain S.M.A.R.T. for the benefit of over 200 kindergarteners. In their case, I don’t think they’ll ever have to “be careful of what they wish for.”

Kindergarten teachers from Dyersburg Primary School,
850 students Pk-2, Dyersburg, TN