Crystal Van Kirk, Kindergarten Teacher at Providence Classical School, is Teacher of the Month – March 2013
Bob Phipps, owner of School Crossing is presenting Mrs. Crystal Van Kirk, Kindergarten Teacher at Providence Classical School with her gift card and certificate for being voted by the community Williamsburg’s Choice ~ Teacher of the Month.
How long have you been teaching and teaching at PCS?
I taught for several years in the public system before having my children. When my twins were born I became a stay at home mother. I returned to teaching last year. This is my second year teaching at PCS.
What drew you to teaching, teaching at PCS and was there any particular reason you ended up teaching Kindergarten?
I fell in love with the curriculum, the school climate, and methodology of classical education first through my own children. My children began their school career in kindergarten at PCS. It was through my children that I became actively involved in the school. It didn’t take long for this involvement to pull me back into the classroom. I have seen the fruits of PCS in my own children. It is truly a privilege to be an active participant in providing those same fruits to other students.
What perspective have you gained from being around such young children daily?
Although I am the teacher in the classroom I often feel I am the one learning through these precious little ones. My students enter the classroom with a natural curiosity for the world around them. They cannot wait to learn something new each day. They approach a challenge with a joy and innocence that can only be found in the heart of child. They love learning and discovering new things each and every day. It is a joy to see the world through their eyes!
What do you want your children to be able to do when they leave your classroom – that you know will prepare them for further education and life in general?
It is my hope that every student leaves my classroom knowing they are loved and wonderfully made. I want them to know they each possess a special gift they can use to their fullest potential.
If you could ask parents to do one thing to help their children’s academic success what would it be?
Form a partnership with your child’s teachers. Then use that partnership to find and celebrate your child’s strengths.
Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you and/or your class that you find you post, read, share or just meditate on?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Are you from Williamsburg? If not, where are you from, what brought you here?
No, I grew up in South Carolina. I went to Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. We moved to Williamsburg in 2000 for my husband’s job.
Do you have any life lessons that children in class have taught you – maybe a short story about kindness, sharing or just a Kindergartner’s perspective?
Recently during reading group, while reading short “o” words, we came to the word job. We read the word and then I used it in a sentence. My sentence was “Mrs. Van Kirk’s job is to be your teacher.” One of my sweet students looked at me in complete astonishment and said, “You mean this is your job! So, you get paid to be here every day!” While I did laugh at the innocence of this response my heart swelled with joy. In this students eyes I come to school every day for the joy and love of learning. Just like he does! I love that he doesn’t see what I do as a “job.” It is simply a part of who I am. This “job” is my hearts mission each day in the classroom.
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