By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The kindergarten teacher had her audience of adults dancing, hopping, skipping, twirling, and freezing in between. Not quite as nimble or uninhibited as her customary class, the Kiwanis Club members complied, though most in a reserved manner.
“Now that we’re loosened up …” Crim teacher Melissa Hemminger said with a smile.
After spending her days with a roomful of kindergartners, Hemminger acknowledged that she was a tad nervous accepting the Inspirational Educator Award from the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club on Thursday.
“I am used to a much different audience,” said the Crim Elementary teacher. “I seriously considered making this a field trip and bringing them here with me.”
Instead, she let her students speak for her through video clips and photos.
When asked how old Hemminger was, one little girl guessed 100. And kindergarten back then was “scary,” with students learning about dinosaurs, the girl added.
Hemminger, a 2004 graduate of Bowling Green High School, confessed that back in kindergarten her career goal was to become a cheerleader. Instead, she has been a teacher for 14 years, crediting her fellow teachers for her success.
“I am the educator I am today because of those teachers,” she said.
“I’ll remember this forever,” Hemminger said of the recognition from the Kiwanis Club.
And likely, her students will remember their kindergarten class for years to come. A video showed the young students talking about how they spend their days at school – doing yoga, playing outside at recess, counting to 100, learning their letters, eating lunch and dancing.
Hemminger takes it very seriously to make her classroom fun.
“I want my students to enjoy coming to school,” said Hemminger, who is known to occasionally don a hot pink boa. She believes in hands-on learning activities that masquerade as fun.
There are puppet shows, crafts, picture books and using their entire bodies to work on simple math. There’s a Thanksgiving feast each year with everyone gathered around a long table, an opportunity to bake cookies, and a ride on a school bus – something new to many of the children. The students learn how to express their feelings and how to show empathy.
And between it all, learning takes place.
“It just always blows me away” to see the progress students make in kindergarten, Hemminger said.
Hemminger works to build relationships with the youngsters.
“I want my students to know they are valued and cared about. I want them to feel our classroom is where they belong.”
She is also a big believer in helping students believe in themselves.
“I like helping students to find and celebrate their individual strengths and abilities,” Hemminger said. “Students come to school for so much more than learning.”
She showed photos of a few students demonstrating their strengths – the math whiz and iPad guru, the chatty student who excels at talking to the class, and the “mother hen,” who reaches out to help other students when she notices a need.
“We celebrate their strengths,” she said.
Hemminger makes the children feel special – with the random selection of a “Star of the Week.” It’s a big deal, she said, with each “star” being line leader all week and getting dibs on the classroom beanbag chair.
For Hemminger, the relationships she builds with students don’t stop at the school grounds.
“I believe in showing up for kids beyond the classroom,” for events like soccer games, art shows, dance recitals and cheering competitions. And sometimes it means attending the funeral when a student’s loved one dies.
“Showing up when students need it most has never been a question,” she said.
Hemminger also builds relationships with students’ families – of which she occasionally has to remind her family.
“That is why my quick trip to Kroger turns into 30 minutes of chatting with people,” she said.
Hemminger wrapped up her presentation with a video of storytime in her class.
“This is my favorite,” she said.
The children sat mesmerized as she read aloud “Should I Share My Ice Cream,” in which Gerald the Elephant agonizes over the decision of sharing with Piggie. Hemminger gave each character a different funny voice – delighting the students and Kiwanis members alike.
