Throwback Thursday: Ms. Kinsman

Last week, the students were shocked to learn that I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. as part of a field trip in the 5th grade. It was an extraordinary opportunity, which was made possible by a lot of fundraising, financial support from my friends' parents, and one amazing woman. Technically, the trip happened after fifth grade was over (we went in June, shortly after school was out), but it marked one of the most important years of my life.

The amazing Mrs. Dulaney was both my fourth and fifth grade teacher. I was so fortunate to have this wonderful woman in my life. She was (and still is!) a dedicated educator who provided amazing learning opportunities. She was a friend, a mentor, and the woman who inspired me to become a teacher myself.

As unforgettable as the D.C. trip was, it was only one of the many activities I remember from fifth grade. We read and performed a play from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. We created news stations and performed newscasts in front of our class (my news station's theme music was a Milli Vanilli song...kids ask your parents). Mrs. Dulaney had "mystery guests", or people from our community with interesting jobs, visit our class so that we could guess their professions by asking yes/no questions. One of my classmates dissected a brain (don't worry, I think it was a sheep brain!). Every day was an adventure in the fifth grade.

I think the most important activity from that year was a very special writing assignment. Mrs. Dulaney had us create autobiographies of our future and mine is still one of my most treasured possessions. For me, this acitvity represented a life map that set me on a course for my future. While I didn't go to Stanford, end world hunger, and then use my money to become a philanthropist (by the age of 25, no less), I did earn two college degrees, become an educator, and try to use my knowledge to help students the way Mrs. Dulaney helped me. More than anything, Mrs. Dulaney showed me a future that I may not have found without her guidance and care.

Fifth grade was amazing. I am so excited that I get to be a part of your child's life during this important year, and look forward to seeing what they make of their futures.

Oh, and here's the picture. Can you figure out which one is Ms. Kinsman?

A special thank you to Joel, who posted this fantastic picture on Facebook and made my life a lot easier!