Miss Rank

"Guest Readers" - yep, that's us! We had the honor of reading some holiday stories to Miss Rank's 4th grade class today!  What a thrill to see my special niece, my Goddaughter, Miss Rank, in action today.  Although a new college graduate, through her own effort and talent she has her own classroom - first year out - no small accomplishment!  And gee, is it HERS...she is clearly in charge command - while still being so very warm and kind, so very Jen.  It was fun to see her in a totally different role, the role that clearly is her passion, her identity.  I was fighting back the tears, I was so proud of her.  And then she introduced us, and explained to her "boys and girls" that it's no secret that her name is Jenifer - and then she told them she was named after me.  Wowza - then I was REALLY choking back the tears.  Thankfully one of her students, a boy, shot up his hand and said, "Miss Rank...does that mean you are Jenifer Junior?!"  It was just what I needed.

I read O'Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" and Shawn read a simple rendition of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".  We were so happy to get a peak into Miss Rank's world and I kept thinking that I wanted to time travel back to fourth grade and sit in one of those small chairs and learn from her all day long.

I admire her happy room, and totally love this poster about what really matters.

She is barely taller than about half of the students but look at her - kind and involved and totally in charge.

"Rank Bank Bucks" can be earned by working on optional activities, like working on verbs.
The bucks can be redeemed for things like working at Miss Rank's desk or buying a pencil.

This is one very organized educator.