Shelley Beuchler has been helping Kindergarten children discover the joys of learning for 18 years

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by HAnne Armstrong
This Week Staff

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For 17 years Kindergarten pupils at Gunningsville School in Riverview have been lovingly guided through their first year of school by Shelley Beuchler.

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Stacey Merrigan/This Week

Shelley Beuchler reads a story to her Kindergarten class at Gunningsville School.

"In my first year one of the children had trouble pronouncing my name," Shelley recalls, "and I've been Mrs. B ever since."

Shelley studied to be a teacher at the Nova Scotia Teachers' College and St. Mary's University. She taught for a year at Arnold H. McLeod before coming to, and settling at, Gunningsville School. Her husband, Cal, has also been a Kindergarten teacher for 18 years, and serves now at the Edith Cavell School.

"I love our little school," Shelley exclaims, "and I love being part of people learning things, and inspiring the little ones. That's why I became a teacher."

The prospect of going to Kindergarten for the first time can be a daunting one, both for parents and children. Part of what District 2 does to ease the transition from home or daycare to 'real' school is something called staggered entry. Kindergarten classes are divided into three groups, and on each of the first three days of school only one group attends school.

"That gives us a chance to give each child extra attention on their first day," explains Shelley. "They need to know that you're loving and safe."

In fact getting used to the teacher, the routine, and the stimulation of being in school, can take quite a while for Kindergarten pupils. Once the youngest students at Gunningsville are settled, Shelley will be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her class, and may divide them up to work with pupils from one of the other Kindergarten classes at the school.

"The other teachers and I get together every day to discuss how our teaching is going, exchange ideas, tricks, and techniques," Shelley says. "Then, if for instance some of mine and some from another class need extra help, or are doing very well in a particular area, we re-group them for those specific things.

"So sometimes I'm teaching only a few of my own pupils mixed in with others, say, for a math activity."

The other Kindergarten teachers on the team at Gunningsville School are Robyn Smith and Michelle Major. The co-operative teaching approach means that children get the help and the work that they need.

"I just love seeing that moment for each child when he or she discovers 'I can read!', or 'I can write!', for the first time," Shelley offers as what she likes best about teaching. "After eighteen years, it's still magic for me."

The biggest challenge for Shelley is to successfully determine what each child needs, and then help them get beyond where they are. This means she has to know her children very well, and she makes that sure she does. From babies in September to self-confident children in June, Shelley sees them through.

She wants to remind parents that she and the school are there to help, and no question is too small to bring to your child's teacher.

"Gunningsville is a caring school," she says. "It's a good school. We have the kids' best interest at heart."