Ms. Grace is an amazing pre-k teacher who truly makes a difference in her students’ lives. She creates a classroom environment that is warm, welcoming, and fun, which makes kids excited to go to school every day. Mateo looks forward to class and often talks about what they are going to learn or do, whether it is a new activity, a fun experiment, or time with his friends. Before starting pre-k, Mateo was a little shy and unsure of himself. Since being in Ms. Grace’s class, he has completely come out of his shell and become such a social butterfly. He now knows almost all of his classmates’ names and is excited to interact and play with others. Ms. Grace has helped build his confidence in such a natural and supportive way. She also makes learning exciting and engaging. Mateo didn’t know how to write his name before, and now he is so proud to write it every chance he gets. He has learned his letters and numbers and loves showing off what he knows at home. You can tell she takes the time to make sure each child is learning at their own pace while still feeling successful and proud. Ms. Grace shows her students that she truly cares about them. Mateo gets dressed in the morning and will say things like, “Ms. Grace is going to love my shirt today” or “Ms. Grace is going to love my new shoes,” which shows how much her opinion means to him. That kind of connection speaks volumes about the way she treats her students with kindness, encouragement, and attention. As his parents, we have also seen firsthand how much he respects her. During activities, he looks for her and proudly says things like, “Ms. Grace! Look at my gingerbread house,” wanting to share his work and make her proud. She goes above and beyond, even with limited resources. She puts together class parties, hands-on activities, and fun learning experiences that keep the kids engaged and happy. She even hosts special family days on select Fridays where Mateo gets to bring his mom and dad into the classroom to participate in experiments and activities. These moments are so thoughtfully planned and give us a chance to see the environment she has created and how much the kids are learning and enjoying themselves. Ms. Grace has also created a space where Mateo feels emotionally safe and secure. One moment that stood out to me was when she shared with me that Mateo had cried during their goodbye song. The fact that she communicated that with me as his mom showed how much she cares and how open and attentive she is with her students and their families. Instead of worrying me, it reassured me that he feels comfortable enough in her classroom to express his emotions and that he is with someone who is truly looking out for him. Ms. Grace has not only helped Mateo grow academically, but also emotionally and socially. She has helped him become more confident, more independent, and more excited about learning. We are so grateful for the positive impact she has had on him both inside and outside of the classroom.