By Amber Aldrich

I can’t say I remember 1st grade at St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond all that well, other than the classroom snack bin I was always stealing from. So, for a refresher, I visited Lower School teacher Sarah Dunn’s lively 1st Grade classroom. 

Dunn’s class watching Cougar Connections.

Stepping into Reynolds 106 instantly feels like a hug. The room is lit with warm yellow light and littered with colorful rugs, tiny chairs, desks impossibly close to the ground (I feel taller here), and work done by the 1st Graders covering the walls. At the center of it all is Dunn, the conductor of this cheerful chaos; an energetic, warm-hearted teacher who is new to teaching 1st Grade but certainly not new to teaching.

Dunn has 12 years of experience: six in Henrico County teaching special education and 3rd grade before joining Collegiate in 2020. She spent five years teaching 4th Grade in our Lower School before moving to 1st Grade this year. “1st Grade has been a new adventure each day. I love that these littles are excited about learning when they walk into the classroom,” she said. It’s clear that Dunn loves and nourishes her students’ excitement and curiosity for learning. Since it’s Dunn’s first year with the 1st Graders, “everything is new to all of us in Reynolds 106. It is special knowing that all of our ‘firsts’ we are experiencing together,” she remarked.

“My Favorite Thing About Fall” posters.

Her classroom is like a storybook come to life: bright, colorful, warm, and welcoming, full of student work and posters. I look at the wall to my right to see “My Favorite Thing About Fall” posters, including activities like “going to the apple ‘orchort’” and “Halloween candy.” All the seating and cozy rugs are a 1st Grader’s dream. As I quietly tiptoed to the back of the class, trying not to disturb carpet time, the students were gathered in a circle watching Cougar Connections, a 1st-Grade-produced news show which included a “Teacher Feature,” “Student Spotlight,” and fun facts like “male lions sleep for 20 hours a day.”

Soon, the group shifts into circle time. The class learns about “red words,” which Ruffin (’37), an enthusiastic, participative member of the class, explains: “A red word is something you have to remember because something’s hard about it.” Today’s tricky word is some, because it sounds like it has a ‘u’ in it, but really has an ‘o’ and ends with an ‘e.’ Then we learn new s-blends, like sc, sk, sm, st, sp, and sn; the 1st Graders call out examples with enthusiasm: “Snail! Snack! Start! Stuck! Stab!… I forgot.”

Then, suddenly, we hear, “Ms. Dunn… I lost my tooth.” 

“Right now?!?!” Dunn exclaims.

“Yes.” 

In seconds, Betsy Wilder, Dunn’s assistant teacher, is up and bagging the tooth for the surprisingly calm girl to take home to the Tooth Fairy. The student gets a sip of water and sits right back down to join circle time. It’s remarkable. Many 1st Graders (or at least me) might have used that as an excuse to leave class and go to the nurse, or call home, even. It’s obvious that these 1st Graders trust and adore their teachers.

1st Grade desks and assistant teacher Betsy Wilder at her desk, preparing for class.

After the excitement settled, I wanted to hear from the true experts. I asked Dunn to choose a few of her bravest students to come talk to me, and together we explored some serious 1st Grade questions: “What do you love most about 1st Grade?” I began.

“I love all of math and learning,” said curly-haired Miller (’37) after pondering for a moment.”

Ruffin, our red word expert, proudly added, “learning new red words” is his favorite part.

June (’37), sweet and quiet, said a little more softly, “I like my teacher.” 

Perfect timing for my next question: What do you like about Ms. Dunn? 

“That she’s nice,” June replied with a smile, then added that her favorite subject is “recess.” Me too, June.

1st Grade circle time.

Listening to their answers, it’s easy to see how much joy fills this classroom. Dunn and Wilder make a dynamic team, using songs, movements, and friendly competition to make learning fun and interactive. Dunn’s class encourages curiosity: students ask questions freely, and she gives students a chance to respond and help their peers first before she jumps in. I asked about her favorite part of the day, and she told me about their closing circle: “Each afternoon, we circle up before the bell rings, and the students have an opportunity to give ‘Sparkles’ to someone in our room.” The students shout out friends for kind deeds and end with a joke of the day, making sure always to leave class on a positive note.

My visit to Reynolds 106 made me miss those times. The class of 2037 carries a contagious sense of wonder, an eagerness to learn and laugh. As Dunn said, “the biggest lesson I have learned from my students is to find joy in the small moments,” said Dunn. We should use their positivity and excitement for learning as an example. Dunn explained, “Each student is trying to reach their own goal, whether it be losing a tooth to mastering multiplication facts, or learning to tie their shoes.” To her, every little victory matters.

Watching them brought back memories of the simplicity and carefree air of 1st Grade, and I hope it served as a refresher. Observing the laughter, learning, and kindness in her classroom made me realize how much heart goes into teaching. By the end of my visit, I understood why Dunn loves 1st Grade so much. It is full of curiosity, kindness, and funny moments that can grow into lasting memories.

All photos by Amber Aldrich.