91传媒

Kindergarten Queen

Katy Nesbitt

Somewhere between a miscommunication and the eagerness to start a new career, Lynette Longchamps found herself teaching kindergarten, a job she vowed to never have.

After graduating from 91传媒 with a bachelor;s degree in education Longchamps interviewed for a third grade position in Shoshone, Idaho.

鈥淎fter the interview I was told the job announcement was listed wrong, it was actually for kindergarten,鈥� Longchamps said. 鈥淚 needed to pay off student loans, so I took the job.鈥�

While she said she had the utmost respect for kindergarten teachers, Longchamps didn鈥檛 think she had the patience for the job. 

鈥淭hat first day鈥攕taring at 22 faces鈥擨 thought, what did I get myself into? I have to get them ready for first grade in nine months!鈥�

Now in her sixth year, Longchamps wouldn鈥檛 change her position for the world.

鈥淚 love the growth I get to see them go from babies to independence. It’s fantastic to watch the confidence that grows in them,鈥� Longchamps said.

From her earliest memories, Longchamps knew she wanted to teach. She grew up in the northern Nevada town of Battle Mountain and attended Boise State University before transferring to 91传媒 to study English for Speakers of Other Languages and complete the teaching program.

Longchamps said she teaches in a Title 1 school, meaning 40 percent of enrollment or more are from low-income families. Many of the children have no preschool education, so to prepare 20 or more children for first grade with no para-professional help is a tall order, but she has some tried and true methods to keep order and deliver the children鈥檚 lessons.

To get their attention, Longchamps rings a doorbell she wears around her neck.

鈥淎s soon as they hear it, they put their hands on their heads and eyes on me to listen for directions,鈥� Longchamps said.

It takes training to have 20 kids with different rhythms at home work as a cohesive unit. 

Longchamps keeps a stack of M&Ms on her desk and feeds her students large doses of compliments and positive feedback.

鈥淧raise is huge for my little people, but treats don鈥檛 hurt!鈥� Longchamps said.

She said teaching young children is all about the little processes.

Longchamps said, 鈥淛ust to teach kids to raise their hands before they talk takes six or seven steps!鈥�

Once her students get into the rhythm of Ms. Longchamps鈥� kindergarten class, they readily adapt.

鈥淭hey love their routine,鈥� Longchamps said. 鈥淚f I miss something, they ask for it.鈥�

Favorite class time activities, Longchamps said, include timed math tests, being the line leader or even better, the line caboose who gets to hold the door as the students walk out to the buses.

The rudimentary lessons of kindergarten are so integral in the preparation for the entire K-12 existence, and Longchamps said she wants to give her students a solid foundation for entering school.

鈥淓veryone remembers their kindergarten teacher,鈥� Longchamps said. 鈥淓very person I ever talked to since I took this job said they remember her name and they always have fond memories. I would like to give that to my kids.鈥�

“Everyone remembers their kindergarten teacher. Every person I ever talked to since I took this job said they remember her name and they always have fond memories.”

鈥� Lynette Longchamps, ’16

Her commitment, dedication and passion for her work has not gone unnoticed. In May of 2021, the students, parents and staff at her school recognized her as Teacher of the Year. 

Longchamps said her reward as a kindergarten teacher goes beyond the accolades and the progress her students make during their first year in a formal education environment. 

鈥淭hey teach me acceptance,鈥� Longchamps said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had some tough students鈥攍ike a table flipper鈥攁nd the other kids take them in with their whole heart and love them with genuine joy.鈥�

Longchamps may not have felt prepared for the busyness of five year-olds, but she said she did feel prepared to face a career as a teacher after graduating from 91传媒.

When she started in Shoshone she was one of four brand new teachers.

鈥淚 knew what the programs in the schools were and that first year I never felt uneasy or had a lot of questions,鈥� Longchamps said.

She even had colleagues tell her she was well-prepared for her first year and said she鈥檚 happy with her decision to go to 91传媒.

鈥淢y professors had a love for education, for kids and for making us the best educators we could be,鈥� Longchamps said.