In just her second year at South Side Elementary School, Lindsay Yeakel is relatively new to teaching in an elementary school setting. She isn’t new to working with children, though.
For the last two decades, she’s taught in various venues, including at preschools in Champaign and St. Louis, at the University of Illinois Child Development Lab, and at her own business, The Little Gym, which focused on child development.
For Jenny Robins, Yeakel’s presence at South Side has been a blessing. Robins was nervous when her son, Owen, who has Level 2 ASD and is only partially verbal, enrolled in kindergarten.
“We have been blown away by Ms. Yeakel’s warm-hearted and nurturing character,” Robins said. “She genuinely radiates love and acceptance toward all her students, something seen every day on the playground when dropping our kids off for school. O has adapted to a new environment, is learning every day, and truly loves to go to school. I know this is because of the inclusive, caring environment Ms. Yeakel has created for her classroom by modeling empathy and kindness and celebrating all her students.”
I find my work important because … kids deserve the world. And kindergarten is the start of their whole educational experience. It’s my job to make sure each student feels loved, safe, successful and smart each day. I want to set them up for success in life and make sure they leave each day wanting to come back. I want them to be excited for the years of school ahead!
I became a teacher because … it’s always been my dream. Growing up, I said I wanted to be a mom and a teacher. And I’m both — I have two kids that attend South Side with me, and I have one at Central High School. I played school all the time as a little girl, and now, after school, my two youngest kids play school in my classroom. It came full circle.
My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is … I can’t pick just one! Maybe lining eggs up on a bench outside when learning about nursery rhymes. We recite “Humpty Dumpty” and then have our eggs fall and make a huge mess. We then try to put the eggs back together again. Or maybe when we learn about the five senses and amazing people like Helen Keller and Ray Charles, who were blind. We walk around the school and feel braille that is on small signs throughout the school. Kindergarten is so fun because they get so excited about the lessons!
My most fulfilling moments on the job are when … students are working hard and I hear someone say, “Mrs. Yeakel! I did it!” My heart melts when I know they are proud of themselves. I also love when I see students being amazing friends by encouraging others, complimenting friends, and being so inclusive. Kindergarten really is magical.
I keep students engaged by … incorporating play as much as possible. Children learn best through play! If a child is supposed to learn about measurement, are they going to learn best by only doing a worksheet or by using cups and scoops in big bins of water?! Our district even provided us with a sensory table recently. I’m hoping to fill it with dirt and worms this spring!
Something else I’m passionate about is … social emotional learning. It’s very important to me that each child feels safe and loved. I tell each student that I love them every day. Students will learn best when they feel like they belong. We talk a lot about how to handle different situations. If students come back from recess and say that someone hurt their feelings or someone wouldn’t let them play, we sit in a circle and talk it out. I ask questions like, “How did that make you feel?” And students brainstorm ideas on ways to solve any issues. It’s amazing to see them help each other and come up with solutions together.
My favorite teacher and subject to study in school was … My kindergarten teacher at Odgen Avenue School was Mrs. Wagner. She was so loving and kind. We had a pet turtle, a balance beam, and huge playhouse in the classroom! I also loved Mr. Staab at Central High School. He taught world history and made it fun. And in case he reads this — Mr. Staab, I’m sorry I talked to my friends too much in class. As I teacher, I get it now!
If I weren’t a teacher, I would be … a baby holder. Is that a thing? Can I just work somewhere and rock and hold babies all day?
— ANTHONY ZILIS