MARGATE, Fla. – Teachers around Broward County are putting the finishing touches on their classrooms as they get ready to welcome students for the new school year.
At Margate Elementary School, they’re coming off a year of success, going from a C school to an A.
Susan Bales teaches second grade at Margate Elementary. The last few days before the start of the school year mean all the important prep work in her colorful classroom is being finalized.
“This is my reading loft, it’s one of the things that I love. It’s one of the things that the kids really love,” said Bales. “You have to label kids’ stuff with their names, put out their name tags, get the plans finalized and ready for the first week of school.”
Sarah Jaggernauth is a former student turned fifth-grade teacher.
“My fifth-grade teacher is right across the hall,” she said.
Jaggernauth is now preparing to welcome a class of fifth graders.
“Just trying to get the classroom ready, reset, cleaning out, restart and getting all the curriculum together, material and making sure everything’s just set for the students,” she said.
In her classroom, the goal is to keep kids calm and confident.
“My theme is comfy cozy,” she said. “I keep half the lights on and add warmer lights because it adds to that cozier feeling. I also have an affirmation station, reminding them positive things about themselves, as well for me, but then believing it as well.”
Nick Morrison teaches third and fourth graders on the autism spectrum.
“The puppets are my favorite part of the class,” he said. “There’s a different engagement factor with them and that’s the key, you want to keep them engaged and learning and growing.”
Principal Thomas Schroeder explained how they improved from a C school to an A school.
“What I credit most is just the teamwork, the collaboration, all hands on deck here at Margate,” he said. “It is all about what’s best for kids. Kids are what matters first. We put kids first and then everything else falls into place.”
And as teachers continue to do their part for the students, they’re asking that parents do their part as well.
“Start getting the kids to bed on time and waking them up early so that they’re ready for that schedule changeover to back to school,” said Bales.
Added Jaggernauth: “But the thing at this age is the phones. They’re up on the phones all night, so yeah, just monitoring that and making sure you know they’re actually getting rested so they’re ready for the next day.”
Said Schroeder: “Take a deep breath and know that you’re coming to people who love you who want you to succeed.”
Classes begin at Margate Elementary School on Monday.