Harrison's Small Is Teacher Of YearOn the last day of school Tuesday, first-graders in Aynsley Small's Harrison Elementary School classroom were playing games.
Some were putting a puzzle together, others playing charades, and some were even learning about money with Monopoly®.
The fun being had in Small's classroom is one of the reasons her students love her.
"She's pretty and she lets you do a lot of stuff at recess. She lets us do a lot of things like bring a toy in and play with it outside," said student Will Graney.
"She plays with us," said Emma Hoff.
"She's nice and she gives us homework," said Bailey Pequinot.Because of those attributes and more, Small is Warsaw Community School Corp.'s teacher of the year. She will go on to compete at the state level later this year. She was nominated for the honor by Harrison Elementary fourth-grade teacher Cindy Nash.
In her nomination of Small, Nash wrote, in part, "When I picture the ideal teacher, I see someone who has love for children, passion for life, and energy to create a wonderful environment for learning. Aynsley fits easily and effortlessly into my picture.
"Aynsley is a magnet of love. Wherever she is, in the classroom ... at a basketball game ... or in the grocery store, people swarm around Aynsley for attention," Nash wrote. "She is bubbly and bright and children and adults are equally attracted to her spirit. Maybe it is her smile, or the way she can focus on one person to make them feel they are the only one in the room, or perhaps it is her heart for all people that makes the difference."
Harrison Principal Randy Polston said Tuesday, "One of the things that I emphasize at Harrison is to bring life to the learning process. On a daily basis, that exemplifies Aynsley Small.
"When kindergartners come into school they have a flame that burns brightly with excitement," he continued. "When they go into Aynsley's class, the flame burns even greater. That exemplifies Aynsley."
Small, a former student of Nash's, graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 1998. She graduated from Taylor University, Upland, with a degree in elementary education.
"I've always loved working with children," Small said Tuesday. "I also love to work in a more personal way with students and get to know their families."
Teaching allows her to do that, she said. And having always loved elementary school, teaching at Harrison is an easy fit for her.
After graduating Taylor, she didn't plan to teach in Warsaw, but landed her first job at Harrison teaching fifth grade. She moved to teaching first grade the following year. With school letting out for the summer, Small just completed her eighth year at Harrison.
"They're really excited about learning," Small said about teaching first-graders. "They're really sweet and kind to each other."
When Small was told she was WCS's teacher of the year, she was surprised.
"I was just kind of overwhelmed," Small said. "It was such an honor. I was just overwhelmed by the honor. I work with so many fantastic teachers."
She said she works with a great team of first-grade teachers. She has four "exceptional" mentors who have helped her work through problems and help her get excited about new ideas. They all just encourage one another, she said.
Families and students are also very supportive at Harrison, she said. Whenever she wants to try a new idea, parents get behind her.
"Mr. Polston is so supportive of trying new things and new ways to learn," she said.
With supportive administration, teachers, parents and students, Small said it makes for a great learning environment. And that environment will help her keep teaching the students as more academic demands are put on them.
Small said, "Each year I feel there are more and more academic demands (on students) at a younger age. I feel my challenge is to help my students meet those demands."
She likes to attend several workshops throughout the year to help her learn new teaching techniques. In the past few years, Small has taught a writing workshop for teachers. Those teachers in her workshop help her stay on the forefront in her classroom, she said.
"Collaboration with teachers is one of the best ways to better one's self," she said.
But Small isn't the only one teaching in the classroom. She said she learns from her students as well.
She said, "They have taught me to be excited about life every day. They give me perspective about being excited about life every day. It's just a positive atmosphere. They taught me a lot. They're so cute."
