Four years ago, I started working for Silver Gate Character Builders without an inkling of direction. I knew I liked kids enough, had prior experience babysitting, and needed to make some money. They put me with the kindergarteners, the youngest kids at the school. At first, I was hesitant–30 kindergarteners at once is quite startling at first. Further, we had several students with behavior issues who constantly disrupted the rest of the class and never seemed to listen. With the most difficult and demanding age group and inconsistent site supervisors, my first year at Silver Gate was a challenge. I knew I loved the kids, but I told myself I wouldn’t work with kindergarten again.
I worked with kindergarten again.
I had no idea how much this job would shape me and my future ambitions. Now I want to be a kindergarten teacher. I am passionate about kids and education and I aspire to make a difference in these kids’ lives—they sure have made a difference in mine.
Every day I am greeted with smiles, hugs, kind words, love letters, artwork, wildflowers and rocks (they know I love crystals!!) they found at some point in the day. Their lights are shining bright. They give love without expecting anything in return, which is exactly the way it should be—love is free.
You can learn a lot from a five-year-old if you are open to it. My kindergarteners teach me so much more than I teach them. Kindergarteners keep it simple and real–they say exactly what is on their mind. I love listening to them, every little detail. They are open to learning about anything and everything. They find joy and beauty in the simplest of things. They live in the now, completely free of worry or regret. They pay attention to the colors, the music, all the magic of life that is right before us that most adults seem to forget. They have unending energy and enthusiasm. They dive headfirst into trying new things. And they dance harder than anyone else! I am blessed to work in an environment where no one is putting on a front, and everyone, for the most part, gets along. There’s no judgment, no cliques, no labels, no stereotypes, or any other divisions. In kindergarten, we’re all friends. Their young hearts are still locked in to the collective consciousness and they recognize the unity in all things. Cheers to my little cherubs that fill all of my days with laugher, simplicity and bliss, and always remind me to live a lifetime in a moment. ♡
Cultivate a Kindergarden 
There is so much to say about this age group and you touched on so many great things. But, what always sticks out to me is the “unity” you spoke about. In a time where everyone seems to be trying to find ways to divide us, the kinders never fail to bring you a feeling of hope! Last year I had a group of kinder girls that were all best friends and each one was a different race: Latino, White, Indian, and Japanese. One day I individually asked them why they were friends with one another. Every single girl gave me the same answer, “because they are nice to me”. It was then that it hit me. At only 5 years old, they can see the only thing that matters is surrounding yourself with kind people. That “kindness” can transcends all differences, and deep down in all of us we still have that Kindergartener who knows these universal truths. Keep up the good work Jen!
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