A passionate and engaging Kindergarten teacher can truly set a new student up with a hunger for learning and a lifetime of educational success. Our Teacher of the Month, Erin Peden, teaches half-day Kindergarten at Country Day School in Fairhope.
“Kindergarten is my passion,” shared Mrs. Peden. “I love to see the growth and development in my little learners. Kindergarten is such a magical grade, and I can’t see myself teaching any other age.”
Mrs. Peden came from a long line of family educators and wanted to continue in this profession so she could also make a difference in the world. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education from the University of Texas-Austin. She has been teaching for over a decade and has experience in several states – including Texas, Virginia, Mississippi, and now Alabama.
Mrs. Peden believes her class is a family.
“We spend so much time together! We may not always agree or get along, but we should always love, respect, and support one another,” said Mrs. Peden. “We foster a class family through positive relationships, clear communication, celebrating achievements, and building connections.”
Mrs. Peden treasures the lifelong relationships she builds with her students and their families and loves feeling like she might have made a difference in their lives. She always feels loved and valued by her pupils and their families; this nomination was the icing on the cake.
Instilling a love for learning is her top priority. You will often find her singing, dancing, chanting, and rhyming to help her littles learn and retain their lessons. She also hopes her students walk away from her classroom with strong skills in curiosity, empathy, and communication skills.
Making the decision to become a teacher is a career-long commitment to serving others and to showing up and being the best version of yourself, something Mrs. Peden strives for daily.
“Do not compare yourself to others,” Mrs. Peden shared, emphasizing encouraging newer teachers. “Find your own strengths and what makes you the best teacher you can be!”
Erin and her husband Zachary reside in Spanish Fort with their three children Kate (15), Colin (14), and Ella (12). She can be found on a golf course, at the soccer fields, or relaxing at her happy place at Lake Martin when she isn’t teaching.
