One of my favorite teachers of all time has to be my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Kilkenny. I not only loved her for her feathered 80’s Farrah Fawcett hairstyle, but also for her name, Kathleen Kilkenny. For two years following kindergarten, whenever I played “school” with my friends, I demanded they call me Kathleen and I was always the teacher. Clearly I adored her. If there were ever a stalker-like student in her room, it would have been me.
Mrs. Kilkenny was one of my very favorites because she made learning engaging and fun. Each week a new letter person would come to our classroom and we would embark upon amazing projects, while learning the letter and sounds. I remember being very excited when I heard a knock on our classroom door, and when she opened it, there appeared Mr. M, the mailman letter person. I couldn’t believe that he actually knocked on our door…this place called school was so magical!
Naturally Mr. L was my favorite because his favorite food was lollipops. In fact, I think he was made of lemon lollipops. That week we made our very own green lollipops. Delish!
We sang a lot of songs in kindergarten and I remember Mrs. Kilkenny playing the guitar frequently. Our Christmas concert was one of the highlights of our year with us singing and keeping the beat with rhythm sticks. So very nerve wracking for a 5 year old!
Mostly, I remember how kind, nurturing, and happy Mrs. Kilkenny was. She rarely, if ever, lost her temper and was always upbeat and pleasant. Speaking as a teacher, this is NO EASY FEAT. I can’t help but think of her and so many of my other great teachers while teaching students of my own. Hopefully, my students will have fond memories of their days in first grade with me and, for their sake, will forget their teacher’s singing voice.
Life was good in Kindergarten. With naps and graham cracker snacks, there really wasn’t much to complain about.
Although I remember a great deal, I can’t remember if Francesca was in the same class! Doubtful, I’m sure. Francesca would have made a lasting impression.
How about you? Can you name a favorite teacher that you’ve had? What did they do to leave a lasting impression on you?
In keeping with today’s theme, everyone who participates in Tribute Tuesday will automatically be entered into a drawing for a lunchbox from OOTS! The ‘stacked’ design give these lunch boxes a fun look and make them playful and tactile objects for little fingers. All materials are food safe and kid-friendly: made from BPA-free and phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead. The lunch box and containers are also dishwasher safe (top rack) and the containers can be used in a microwave.
If you are not playing along with the carnival, but still would like the chance to enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment and tell us how you would improve or change the lunch box that you once used.
Truly great teachers that make a difference in their students’ lives are such a rarity now adays. Let alone ones that you remember years later. You’re lucky to have had such a great influence early on.
Typ0´s last blog ..Incredible India
[Reply]
well lunch boxes have changed so much from when I went to school. I remember having the metal lunchbox of what ever I liked and loved the drink that came with it. –now its plastic and none of them come with drink carton anymore.
my 5 monkeys´s last blog ..This weeks Plans
[Reply]
I fund it funny that my teacher post is about a teacher that wasn’t nurturing or patient….but she had a lasting impact on me nonetheless.
Lolli´s last blog ..Glider School – Spring 1985
[Reply]
That was supposed to say FIND. I really should check spelling before hitting submit.
Lolli´s last blog ..Glider School – Spring 1985
[Reply]
I’m a teacher now. I wonder if and how my students will remember me.
My lunch box was AWFUL when I started school. I’m sure it was brand new, it was a metal Sesame Street lunch box. Cool right? The only problem was it would spring open at random times, more than once during morning drop off right when I exited the car in the carpool line.
My lunch would roll all over the place and poor Mrs. Knight, the lady who made sure we didn’t run in traffic, would try to help rescue it while keeping everyone out of harms way.
[Reply]
Am I not paying close enough attention? How do I know what the weekly tribute theme is each week?
My munch box was a brown paper bag with my name scribbled across the bottom. Super personal. I would have given myself a lunchbox made of gold…and then I would have sold it and purchased myself a new wardrobe….cause that’s how I roll.
Mama Kat´s last blog ..Don’t Be Surprised When Maile’s Crying In A Month Because Her Mouse Is Dead
[Reply]
I’d like to think I was that teacher for my students. Although, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t! I tried, though. I really did. But, as some of them were actively engaged in keying my car, getting in classroom brawls, and starring on Maury Povich’s Outta Control Teen episodes I feel like I may have been at a disadvantage. I’m hopeful though that at least one student has fond memories of me and my constant commitment to making them better readers. But, if not, at least they can remember me for being the most humorous teacher at the school as I was a huge proponent of the laugh-to-keep-from-crying school of thought! Oh, and how cute are those lunch boxes?!
parenting BY dummies´s last blog ..Ice, Ice Baby
[Reply]
Oh, and my ex box o’lunch was perfect. My mom always bought me those super cool metal ones with a gold clasp on the front decorated with popular characters like Gem (tell you remember the awesome rockstar she was?!), Strawberry Shortcake, and Rainbow Bright. And, inside, every day without fail, was my favorite thing: PB&J with cheetos, apple slices, and a quarter to buy my chocolate milk. My mommy was way more awesome than I’ll ever be!
parenting BY dummies´s last blog ..Ice, Ice Baby
[Reply]
My sandwich always got squished in my lunch box, so I would have a separate area for sandwiches.
What a wonderful tribute to your teacher! Kindergarten just isn’t like that anymore.. it is way to serious and academic. I wish it was.
Emmy´s last blog ..Confessions of a Mommy: Not so sick of Sick
[Reply]
Sadly, growing up I never owned a lunch box.
My mother always bought us lunch tickets so we HAD to eat what the school cafeteria ladies made that day. blah!!
As an adult, I enjoyed making lunch for myself and husband before we had the kiddies. We always used brown paper bags or reused shopping bags though. So I guess I could use an upgrade when I go back to work someday!!!!
Bobbi-Jo High´s last blog ..Halloween ~ 2009
[Reply]
I love grapham crackers. What a cute story!
[Reply]
I simply adored kindergarten. I still remember most of my elementary school teachers, but I remember the one day I stopped by my kindergarten teachers house one day to say hi. I never though she lived in an actual HOUSE! I guess my 5-year old mind thought she was in school all the time
As for the lunch box, I used to carry those clunky Tupperware ones. I remember how much I wished they were insulated. I grew up in Florida and always wanted something cool or cold in my lunch
Momisodes´s last blog ..Not the gender post you would expect while expecting
[Reply]
Are you guys having a different theme each week or is still kind of like it was when Angie did it. I do not have a lunch box because I stay at home. I would like to tell you about my teacher. Her name was Mrs. T. She was amazing she read us stories called “Hank the Cow Dog” I got all of the books and still have them today. She also taught us how to do fractions with chocolate. I guess that is why I love it chocolate so much. Have a great day.
Amy´s last blog ..Little Mermaid….
[Reply]
You had me at Farrah Fawcett.
Pooba´s last blog ..My Name Is Pooba And I Am A Digi-Scrapaholic
[Reply]
I had the old clanky metal lunch boxes, but honestly I preferred school lunches. Am I alone here? As for the perfect lunch box, I think I would make inserts that could be slipped into the sides that were freezable. It’s so hard to keep a good lunch cold.
(I’m just trying to beef up your comments for you.)
Lolli´s last blog ..Glider School – Spring 1985
[Reply]
Stopping by to say Hello!
Rachel´s last blog ..Welcome November
[Reply]
My two kids had/have a wonderful preschool teacher – Miss Jamie. I wish she could travel up with my kids through elementary school. I remember Mrs. Norris from grade school – she was a wealth of knowledge, facts and always had this tall high heels. She ran a strict class but she had so many fun stories to share.
Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..what I learned this week…halloween
[Reply]
I wanna go back to kindergarten.
Jen @ buried with children´s last blog ..Let’s Go: A Vlog
[Reply]
oh what a great meme..
i will join in next tuesday..
shraddha´s last blog ..Prematurity Awareness Month
[Reply]
You know how I would improve the lunchbox I had in school? By having one.
[Reply]
let’s see, I would have liked to have a lunchbox that had a cooler, so that my capri-sun didn’t taste warm! I remember the mean teachers does that count? Let’s see I hated my 1st grade teacher because she had no patience and everyone was scared of her, I hated my third grade teacher because she was so unenthusiastic…ready to retire. Who knows if she’s still alive, and finally in middle school my English teacher who blamed me for writing on one of her desks in front of everyone! I didn’t BTW! I should be scarred for life..:)
[Reply]
What a great teacher she sounds like. And how cool about all the letter people! My kindergarten teacher was a dried up old prune of a nasty woman. May she rest in peace.
Justine
)
Justine´s last blog ..Various Halloween Crap and Some Whining
[Reply]
I remember having a great teacher for first grade. Cannot remember her name to save my life but she was special. I give you credit for handling young children all day at work and then going home to your own. You are either crazy or love it.
Jen´s last blog ..My Resolution Not To Complain
[Reply]
I don’t think my lunchbox even had a drink bottle in it! I would definitely include on of those that keeps my drink cold!
Honey Mommy´s last blog ..Losing Sleep Over Daylight Saving Time
[Reply]
As a teacher, and on behalf of all teachers, I thank you for this post. This is exactly the reason we do what we do…
Melissa B.´s last blog ..Lunch Time: Life’s a Beach
[Reply]
Ah, I must agree with Melissa’s comment, as a teacher, isn’t it nice to hear this stuff? Something other than whining sometimes!?
My old lunchbox? My LIttle Ponies. That was one of them anyway. They had those cheap plastic clips that broke by February, so you had 2 a year. The one you’ve got there looks sweet!
sara@ domestically challenged´s last blog ..The Bird- part 1
[Reply]
I love her name…Mrs. Kilkenny. I bet it was super-precious to hear a classroom full of 5 and 6 year old saying that Irish name.
I want graham crackers and milk, too…and I want my milk in a little Tupperware cup.
p.s. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Roth…I had her every single semester of high school, for business courses…Typing (Typing I, II, III, IV and V!), Shorthand, Office Procedures, etc. She was always voted “sweetest teacher” in the yearbook each year, and was–frankly–an easy “A.”
Oh, yes…she’s also my Mama…and “Mamaw Pinky” to my daughters.
Lula´s last blog ..It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!
[Reply]
I remember those inflatable letters!! I loved them too!! Unfortunately my kindergarten teacher wasn’t quite so sweet. I remember her yanking teeth out if she caught you wiggling a loose incisor!
My favorite teacher would have to be Mrs. Polk, 2nd grade. I remember the day she got out the Christmas tree for the class and a dead rat fell out of the box. She jumped on the chair and began screaming! It was the funniest thing to see our calm, brave, sweet teacher lose her cool. It made her real.
I also remember hiding under my desk in her class when there was a tornado threat down the street from the school. She kept us all calm as she told stories from beneath her own desk. It was like camp fire stories or a slumber party. Fun.
Ahh…memories.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Fever Screwed!
[Reply]
I’m probably too late to enter the contest, but I still have to say: although my little metal ET lunchbox leaked if (or when) the juice thermos lid wasn’t on tight enough, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. There was just something wonderful about owning one of those metal lunch boxes with the matching thermos (that had the built in/fold out pour spout that you could drink straight from). To this day, I’m not sure what the appeal was, but I still get excited when I see the metal (vintage – haha) lunchboxes appear on the store shelves.
[Reply]