Ms. Jennifer Redmond joined University Academy in 2012, and she has been watching students grow up at UA ever since.
In most schools, a kindergarten teacher usually spends a year with his/her students, passes them along, and then observes from afar through elementary. Once middle and high school hit, students typically move to different buildings. But at UA, elementary teachers have the unique opportunity to watch their students all the way from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Coming from Imagine Renaissance Academy, Ms. Redmond said she knew UA was a place where she could grow and make a real impact on students’ lives. She first taught kindergarten for four years at UA while earning her master’s in language and literacy, which sparked her passion for teaching reading to students.
Senior Alisa Garrett had Ms. Redmond for kindergarten in the 2013-2014 school year. She remembers eating cheese balls and mischievously waking students up during naptime because she never went to sleep.
Ms. Redmond went on to work in the reading intervention department at UA for grades 3-5 before accepting her current role as a certified reading specialist for K-2, helping students build strong foundations in literacy.
Having filled many positions at UA, she’s had the chance to see how students are impacted differently through each role.
“[My roles have] allowed me to support students at some of the most important stages of their learning,” she said.
Ms. Redmond said teaching kindergarten gave her a front row seat to the beginning of students’ academic journeys. Then, focusing on reading intervention for upper elementary allowed her to see how early skills play out later on. Now, being back in K-2 reading intervention allows her to assist students with challenges students might have with reading and literacy. Knowing how critical it is to have reading skills, Ms. Redmond works hard every day to ensure students are on the right path.
“[Teaching early reading skills has] reinforced my belief that strong early literacy instruction can truly change a child’s trajectory,” Ms. Redmond said.
She enjoys being able to advocate for students and supporting them in developing these skills, which she said “has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.”
Now that she has been at UA for 13 years, she has had the chance to watch the kindergarteners she once taught grow up. Throughout her years at UA, she’s been given the chance to notice small and big changes in students as they evolve and mature.
“It’s really special to recognize those traits in students I once taught as kindergarteners. It reinforces how important those early years are and reminds me that even the smallest moments in the classroom can have a lasting impact,” Ms. Redmond said.
This year’s seniors walk the stage on May 14, and Ms. Redmond will have a chance to watch students who were once hers reach a landmark achievement like graduation. She said she feels “so much pride seeing students I once taught as 5- and 6-year-olds reach such an important milestone.” It’s a full circle moment, and she truly cherishes the part she played in their stories.
With graduation quickly approaching, Ms. Redmond said a piece of advice she would offer the seniors is to “hold on to the curiosity, joy and resilience they had as young children.” In kindergarten, her students weren’t afraid to try new things, make mistakes and keep going, and she believes these same qualities will help students succeed in the next stages of life.
“Most importantly, I would tell them to believe in themselves. I’ve seen their potential from the very beginning, and it’s been incredible to watch them grow into who they are today. They are more capable than they may realize,” Ms. Redmond said.
Garrett made many remarkable memories with Ms. Redmond and cherishes the relationship they have.
“She’s known me for 13 years, so who better to get guidance from when I feel like I’m in the wrong about something?” Garrett said.
She enjoys the fact that she’s always had access to Ms. Redmond throughout the years. She said this is important because she can visit and talk to Ms. Redmond anytime she desires.
Garrett graduates in May, and as she goes to college, she said she knows Ms. Redmond will always be on her mind. There’s a good chance Ms. Redmond will be able to say the same about Garrett and all of her previous kindergarteners.
