TEACHER'S CORNER: TEACHER JOINS FAMILY TRADITION OF EDUCATION

CHAFFEE -- First-year teacher Jennifer Hecht said she entered the profession because "it is in my blood." Hecht, who teaches kindergarteners in her hometown of Chaffee, is the granddaughter, daughter and now wife of educators.

"Teaching has always been a part of me," she said. "Because of my exposure to teaching, I knew that there was nothing else I would rather do."

Hecht said the greatest thing about teaching kindergarten is the excitement of the students. It's a special challenge -- an adventure -- she said, because of the inquisitiveness, surprises and laughter 5- and 6-year-olds bring to the classroom.

"Kindergarteners are very open and honest; they say whatever pops into their head," she said. "Sometimes I have to remind myself that they are still so little and need to be taught about a lot more than just math and phonics."

Creative hands-on experiences help Hecht to incorporate fun with educational lessons that build pride and a sense of responsibility in students. Very often, they concentrate on the fun and don't realize they're also learning, she said.

Hecht said she doesn't have many hobbies and enjoys her time spent with students in the classroom and at sporting events coached by her husband. It's important for teachers to interact with students on a variety of levels and make an impact on their lives, she said.

Said Hecht: "There is a quote that states, "100 years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like; but the world could be a better place because I mattered in the life of a child." I want to be that kind of teacher that has an impact on children so that they want to learn and they want to succeed in life."