A Teacher's Promise

by Rachel Robertson, Priscilla Prentice (Illustrator)

Overview

In every classroom, there is a person who cares about the way children learn, grow, and feel—the teacher! The affirming verses and fanciful illustrations in A Teacher's Promise express what all teachers wish for the children they teach—that they develop self-confidence, perseverance, curiosity, and an enjoyment of learning. This book can help ease fears children might have about joining a new classroom or child care setting.

Rachel Robertson is vice president of learning and development at Bright Horizons.

Priscilla Prentice is also the illustrator of When You Just Have to Roar!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605543611
Publisher:	Redleaf Lane
Publication date:	12/31/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	24 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Rachel Robertson is the Vice President of Learning and Development at Bright Horizons Family Solutions. She has more than twenty years of experience in education and has published numerous early childhood articles and books, including When You Just Have to Roar! Rachel has a master’s degree in early childhood education and was recently named a Promising Emerging Leader in Early Childhood Education by ChildCare Exchange. She lives in San Diego, where she loves escaping to the beach with her two daughters.

Priscilla Prentice had her first art show at age three when she drew on her parents’ freshly painted closet door. Priscilla studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and has worked as an animator, illustrator, and environmental artist for video games. She has illustrated several books, including When You Just Have to Roar! Priscilla lives in Connecticut with her husband, two boys, and a variety of pets.

Read an Excerpt

In every classroom one person is there
to show you the way with kindness and care.

A person who wants to know all about you—
the things that you like, the things that you do.

I bet you don't know who that person could be.
That person's your teacher. That person is me!

My job is to teach you and help you to grow,
to show you new things to learn and to know.

I'll help you discover. I'll help you explore.
We'll learn all you want to—and then we'll learn more!

We'll find what you're good at and what you like best.
We'll try new ideas, put them all to the test.

We'll dream great big dreams and we'll think great big thoughts.
We'll wonder and ponder and marvel a lot.

Maybe it's math, or science, or art:
We'll find out together the ways you are smart!

We'll do it your own way; your way is what's best.
It's how you get ready for all the rest.

You won't have to win any "knowing-stuff" races.
I'll make sure you learn at your very own paces.

And if there's a time you don't know what to do,
I'll give you a boost, or a nudge, or a clue.

And, hey, while we're at it, we'll build more than smarts.
We'll pay close attention to what's in your hearts.

We'll talk about friendship and make a few too.
We'll strive to be kind as we do what we do.

We'll aim to be patient and try hard to share.
We'll think before doig and use words with care.

I'll believe you can do it, yep, no matter what:
When you're feeling just great or you're stuck in a rut.

I'll never run out of high fives, winks, or hugs.
Whenever you need it, I'll squeeze you so snug.

I'll laugh at your jokes and I'll tell a few too.
We'll giggle, and chuckle, and snort hooty-hoo!

When you have a secret or story to tell,
I'll sit down and listen. I do that real well.

We won't sit too long, though. We'll get up and go!
We'll move to stay healthymdash;from head down to toe.

We'll hop, skip, and run some, we'll climb, swing, and sway.
Making zippity-zoom for our learning and play.

There will be times when things don't go just right.
We'll make some mistakes, indeed, try as we might.

But mistakes are okay. Mistakes help us grow.
They help us to learn and to know what we know.

So no matter how well we're getting things done,
We'll grin ear to ear and have oodles of fun!

There's so much to do, and to be, and to see—
What an adventure for you and for me!

All this and more I promise we'll do.
Each day I'll be proud of the you that is you.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—Teachers do much more than provide instruction. This title highlights the positive aspects of a good teacher and the promises she makes to her students. She encourages children to dream and think big thoughts and will help them learn at their own pace. She wants to inspire them to explore their feelings and be sensitive to the feelings of others. She promises to help her students discover the importance of patience and kindness. She will motivate them to make friends and will be there to assist when they are learning to share. She wants to help young ones realize that mistakes are going to happen and that it's okay—because everyone grows and learns from them. She also wants children to recognize that the classroom can be a magical place to learn. This is a short book told in verse. The rhyming words are straightforward and predictable. The simple illustrations are composed of bright colors and complement the text. Many parents hope that their children will encounter teachers who would make such promises and carry them through. VERDICT While this offering is a suitable gift for a new teacher or one who is well loved, its appeal to children is minimal and its saccharine tone limits its use in a library collection.—Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

School Library Journal