First quarter: First-year teacher Kim Nightingale prepares for first job, new town

Editor's note: I don't know about you, but fall always feels like back-to-school time for me -- nevermind the fact that I'm five years out of college. As the days grow shorter and the air gets cooler, my psyche tells me it's time to start fresh, to stock up on office supplies and new clothes. Or maybe that's just the back-to-school sales talking to me. Whatever the case, I will be going back to school this fall, in a sense -- not as a student, but as a journalist.

As you know, Flourish comes out four times a year: August, November, February and May. Starting this month, I will be "following" a new teacher through her first year on the job, providing an update in each Flourish of the year. What are her goals for the school year? What is she nervous about? How does the year progress? What does she learn? This is the first of four stories.

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Meet Kim Nightingale. Born and raised in St. Louis, she's moving to Cape Girardeau this month to start her first real teaching job at Blanchard Elementary. In May, she graduated from the University of Missouri and spent the summer working as a nanny while preparing to transition to her new city and job come August.

Kim's boyfriend of more than four years is a student at Southeast Missouri State University, and she has visited Cape Girardeau several times. She also has some high school friends who attend Southeast.

"I loved the area, and I was willing to relocate if the right job came along," she says. "I am someone who believes everything happens for a reason, so when I got offered the job it seemed like the right direction for my life. While visiting, I drove past Blanchard each time I was in town, always thinking to myself it would be neat to work there, and now I am."

Kim graduated summa cum laude from Mizzou, majoring in elementary education. She plans to earn her master's degree in administration and become an elementary school principal, eventually earning her doctoral degree in education.

While at Mizzou, Kim began her pre-service teaching hours sophomore year, working in a variety of different schools, then completed the Senior Year On-Site Program at a Columbia, Mo., elementary school. She spent the second semester student teaching in a third-grade class. Kim feels ready for her first job post-college, thanks to these experiences. But the truth is, she began "teaching" long before it became her career.

"I wanted to be the cool teacher that always gave out candy and was funny and nice. I would make homework sheets for my siblings so I could grade them -- I loved grading," she recalls. "As I got older my aspirations turned into wanting to be a teacher to make a difference and to help students find what they love. I think everyone can remember that elementary teacher that made an impact -- I would like my students to remember me for something positive I did for them."

As an incoming fourth-grade teacher, Kim will begin her orientation at Blanchard this month. She's already met most of the staff and says they've been very welcoming and helpful.

Still, she's not sure what to expect for her first year in a new school district. She'll have a lot to learn, and she believes it will be both challenging and rewarding.

"It's a mixture of emotions," she says. "I am so excited to have my own class and classroom -- at the same time I am very nervous because I feel it is a big responsibility, and I want to help my students be successful. My biggest worry is time. I hope I have enough time to make the best lessons possible and give all my students the help and attention they need. It can be challenging fitting in every standard that must be taught while having a variety of levels and learning styles within a group of students."

Kim also worries that she'll work too hard and not leave time for herself.

"I have always been told by teachers that you can make teaching your life, but you need to know when to make time for yourself," she says.

Kim's family lives in St. Louis, and she's the second-oldest of five children (her 10-year-old sister is a great sounding board for classroom ideas).

She says she hopes to have enough downtime to see her family, travel and spend time outdoors, and go to the movies.

"My main hope for the year is that my students will be comfortable within the classroom so that each student improves and takes steps toward reaching their greatest potential as a learner," she adds. "I want students to find excitement in learning and a desire to reach a higher education."

Pick up the November issue of Flourish to read about Kim's transition to Cape Girardeau, and how she did in her first few months on the job.