Heidi Harmening – Kindergarten teacher

Location: Lakeridge Elementary

Job Description: Heidi’s philosophy about teaching kindergarten is to “love the kids and instill in them a love for learning. In addition to academics, I help them with the social side and to discover their independent natures. I try to give them tools to be successful in life.”

Typical day: Heidi greets her kindergartners at the classroom door first thing in the morning. “They are bursting at the seams to tell me whatever has transpired in their lives during the previous 12 hours!” she says, smiling. After writing in their journals, they practice reading, have independent work time, recess and snack. Fortified, they learn writing, followed by music, PE or library. After lunch and recess they have math, science, social skills/social studies, and free choice time where they self-select an activity such as art, reading, or imaginary play. It is during imaginary play that life skills such as problem-solving and negotiating are developed. “These are skills,” Heidi laughs, “that you can never learn too early.” Every child in Heidi’s classroom spends a week as the Star Student. The designated Star Student gets to bring show and tell items and create a poster about himself/herself to share with the class. This weekly honor, which is divided equitably so that all students get their chance to be ‘on stage,’ provides two very important lessons—students get to feel special and to be comfortable with attention. “Even the shyest kids just beam in the spotlight,” Heidi says, “and it teaches those in the audience to let others shine.”

Best part of the job: “Building relationships with the kids and their families,” says Heidi. She also appreciates her colleagues. “It is great to be surrounded by fun, thoughtful, brilliant people,” she continues. “It makes me want to be a better teacher.”

Something people may not know: Heidi didn’t set out to be a kindergarten teacher. Growing up in Blaine, WA, with a father who was a secondary choir teacher, Heidi had ideas about broadcast journalism. But after working at a summer camp during college break, she knew she had to change her major. “Teaching,” she says, “chose me.” Also during her Pullman college years (“Go Cougs!”) she lived in Australia for a time and traveled to Costa Rica. Her goal was to find a teaching job where she could spend at least six months of the year traveling. The necessity to make ends meet while trying to determine the best international opportunities led her to MISD. “This job changed the course of my life,” Heidi says. “It pulls you in, in a good way.” She smiles – “I’ll just have to use my summers to travel.”

Years in district: 4 years.

Outside interests: Heidi is an athlete who is training for her second half-marathon. She lives in Leschi, which, she says, is a “great area for running.” Heidi enjoys boating and wakeboarding in the summer, snowboarding in the winter.