Teacher Testimonials

Read what CTR teachers are saying about the benefits of full-time kindergarten programming:

“With the full day my students get to explore a broader range of enriching activities with other kinder classmates. As an early childhood educator, I am blown away at the developmental differences that the full day program has had with all my students. I feel that full day kindergarten is such a blessing and needs to be fully embraced for the welfare of our future leaders.”  ~ Robert Rowland, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Anthony’s, Drumheller.

“Full-time kindergarten gives our children the best start in life! Full days improves communication, general knowledge, social competence, and benefits their overall wellbeing. This is a key goal of achieving excellence. Full-time kinders will more likely achieve academic success in Grade 1.” Cindy Olynyk, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Francis of Assisi Academy, DeWinton

“Academic impact of full-time kindergarten: French oral language development is the greatest impact. Students have an increased vocabulary and are able to speak in short phrases. I credit this to the daily immersion in the language. Social impact - students have developed close, meaningful, and healthy relationships with other students and adults in the building.  There are multiple opportunities to develop and practice social learning both in and outside of the classroom. We have multiple chances to enjoy the outdoors and integrate natural learning into our goals for the week. Emotional impact - students take comfort in the predictable routine of day to day time in the classroom. They are no longer unsure of if today is a school day or not. Students are not displaying the fatigue that many were worried about!  My students look forward to school days and are engaged to learn because of the consistency and the predictability of their schedule.”  ~ Christine Killam, Kindergarten and French Immersion Teacher, Ecole Good Shepherd School, Okotoks

“The best thing about teaching kindergarten five full days a week has been that I am able to teach every subject every day at a slower pace. I can spend more time teaching literacy, math, Readers’ Workshop, science and social and reinforce the concepts, which is hard when students are only coming two days a week. Students have more time to practice what they have learned through play-based activities, they are “more motivated”, friendships grow quicker, and students are improving faster. I love being able to spend our extra time on art, free play, outdoor play, and other non-academic activities.” ~ Tina Fleck, Kindergarten Teacher, Holy Family Academy, Brooks