Teachers of The Week Run a Unique Classroom For Their Grandkids

Do you remember the feeling of going to your grandparents house when you were little? It was filled with so much fun and love, you never wanted to leave! Well, a lot of kids are spending their school days at their grandparents house this year.

That's exactly what happens in the "3GS Classroom" in Cherry Valley with Ann and Craig. They do an amazing job of running Grandma and Grandpa's School and they were nominated to be 97ZOK's Teacher of The Week by their children Leslie and Steven. Congrats to Ann and Craig on being our new Teachers of The Week! Their nomination letter reads -

Our children, Olivia and Stevie, were supposed to be going to school in-person at the beginning of the school year. Supplies and masks were ready to go! Both of our children attend Maria Montessori in RPS205. Olivia is in 3rd grade and Stevie is in PreK. Since Montessori is a multi-age program, Olivia has been with the same teacher since first grade. She would continue to be with her teacher throughout 3rd grade. Shortly before school was about to start, we received a phone call explaining that Olivia’s teacher would be teaching remotely. That would mean that she would have a different in-person teacher. Her heart broke. We were also told that Stevie’s slated in-person teacher would also be teaching remotely. His heart broke. Our daughter refused to go to school. She begged to be in her teacher’s remote class. She wanted to finish her 3rd grade year with one of her favorite teachers. So, a phone call to their grandparents was made! Their grandparents always said they would help if ever needed during this unique and crazy time. Thankfully their grandma (who is a retired kindergarten teacher) and grandpa agreed to take on remote learning with both grandchildren! Remote learning has been a huge success! They have turned the dining room into a “3GS” classroom. 3GS stands for “Grandma and Grandpa Grade School”. There is a daily schedule and calendar posted, supply bins with their names, “child of the day,” and they have been counting that number of school days since day 1. Every day they not only get to remote learn but they’re with their grandparents! It has been quite the adjustment, but we honestly don’t think they could be in a better place! It’s always a good sign when we go to pick them up and they don’t want to leave! Who would want to ever leave grandma and grandpa’s house anyway?!
We also would love to recognize both of our children’s Montessori teachers - Mrs. Andrews (Olivia’s 3rd grade teacher) and Mrs. Rauch (Stevie’s preK teacher). They have done a phenomenal job teaching over an iPad! We love that they can bring in the gift of Montessori even outside of the regular classroom. We can’t wait to be back in the classroom with them someday!

We got some pictures sent to us of the "3GS Classroom" and they're totally adorable. We also got to drop off a delicious cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and a beautiful floral arrangement from Broadway Florist.