In the bustling halls of Passaic Arts and Science Charter Primary School, where curiosity thrives and eagerness fills the air, I had the privilege of shadowing Mrs. Kylie Beischer, a seasoned kindergarten teacher who has many roles within her campus. Beyond her knack for nurturing a love of learning within her students, she is an Efficacy Committee member, a proud mother, and the winner of the Passaic Arts and Science Charter Elementary School’s 2021–2022 Teacher of the Year award.
With her contagious enthusiasm and innovative strategies, Mrs. Beischer graciously shared her insights on fostering a vibrant learning environment that captivates even the most reluctant learners.
When asked how she fosters a love for learning in students, especially in subjects they may initially find challenging, Mrs. Beischer readily shared her insights.
“In order to foster a love for learning,” she begins, “we create lessons that are fun, engaging, and interactive. We try to make the lessons hands-on and student-led for the students to feel encouraged to foster their learning.”
“We try to make the lessons hands-on and student-led for the students to feel encouraged to foster their learning.”
Mrs. Beischer continued to share some strategies for creating such an environment, both in the classroom and at home.
“A great strategy to use in the classroom and at home is a rewards system that encourages positive behaviors,” she explains. “One that can be used both at school and home is a sticker chart, where the child receives a sticker after each positive behavior. After a certain number of stickers, the child can receive a reward.”
Mrs. Beischer understands the importance of involving parents and guardians in the learning process. She emphasized the crucial role they play in cultivating a love for learning in children.
“Parents and guardians play a vital role in cultivating a love for learning,” she affirms. “I always preach to my parents and guardians that school does not end at 3:00 pm. They become the teachers at home to reinforce the skills and knowledge being taught at school.”
“Parents and guardians play a vital role in cultivating a love for learning…They become the teachers at home to reinforce the skills and knowledge being taught at school.”
As the conversation continues, Mrs. Beischer shares her strategies for helping students develop a growth mindset and a passion for continuous learning. She emphasized the importance of morning meetings and incorporating growth mindset beliefs from day one.
“Using growth mindset beliefs will allow for students to grasp and use those ideas towards their learning,” she explains. “For example, if they are taught the power of ‘yet’ from day one, they will use that belief when they are having trouble understanding a certain lesson.”
Mrs. Beischer’s commitment to making learning engaging and enjoyable is evident in her teaching approach. She shares some of her favorite techniques for bringing lessons to life.
“To make learning engaging and enjoyable, I like to make it more hands-on,” she says. “Doing experiments in science, projects in social studies, and counting days in math are a few examples of what I do in my classroom. I also like to make my lessons more student-led, holding them accountable for their learning.”
Lastly, Mrs. Beischer addresses the importance of addressing individual differences in learning styles and preferences to ensure that all students feel motivated and supported in their learning journey.
“All of my lessons are created to meet a variety of learning styles,” she explains. “I address individual needs by using small group instruction and accommodations to meet their needs.”
Mrs. Beischer’s passion for teaching transcends the confines of the classroom. Through her unwavering dedication and innovative approach, she not only inspires a love for learning but also empowers her students to embrace education as a lifelong journey of discovery and growth.
