Back in the Classroom

Guest Writer: Jens Jensen, Preschool Literacy Tutor - Community Corps

I have been a band director/music teacher for quite some time. I have done my share of music programs and activities. Six years ago after retiring from teaching, I began doing overnight stocking at a big box store. When my daughter got started in the Reading Corps, she decided that this is something I should be doing too. So, she recruited me!  

It is the best thing she could have done for me. I am now a Pre-School Literacy Tutor in the Delano Wee Tiger Pre-School. Being back in the classroom certainly is my passion. People ask me how my new position is going, and I tell them that I love it! I love what I am doing and I am having a wonderful time. 

I look forward to being in the classroom every day. I see the smiles on the children’s faces, and I see the smiles in their eyes as they make progress with their literacy skills. I have been able to use music within the classroom by bringing my guitar. In addition to transition songs, we have been singing songs that help with letters, alliteration, and rhyming. They love to sing and they are so eager to participate. I have a great support staff and supervisor at the school. It is so nice to be treated like a professional. I have also been able to give time to the community by volunteering.

It is enjoyable to have my daughter as a co-worker. We work together and share ideas with her perspective as a student attending college for Early Childhood Education and my perspective with many years of teaching experience. We get to spend a lot more bonding time than we did in my previous employment. We help each other as we figure things out.

Being a tutor with the Reading Corps has been such a rewarding experience. I feel very fortunate that I can share my talents and time with the students not only as a tutor, but also as a musician. Even the richest child is poor without reading skills and music.