Kristen Caminiti

I am an AACPS: Parent, Nantucket Elementary School

Every year when a parent’s child starts in a new classroom that parent is full of hope and worry. Hope that their child will have a good year. Worry that they will adjust well to a new teacher and new classroom. Hope that they will be valued for who they are, worry that they will connect with a new teacher the same way or better than they did with the last. Hope that the teacher will be competent and caring, worry that your child will have a tough year.

I’m a mom to three young boys (ages 7, 4, and 2) and when my oldest started 1st grade this year I was filled with all those hopes and worries. But, it quickly became apparent that with Ms. Holly Mueller as my son’s teacher that I had no reason to worry and every reason to hope. And throughout this year she has proven me right time and time again.

I have high expectations for my kids’ teachers. But, I’m also the daughter of a life long teacher and the wife of a former teacher, so I have immense respect and admiration for them. I know how hard all teachers work and that none of them are in it for the money. I know they give more of their time to other people’s children than many parents are able to give to their own, and for that I am forever grateful.

Ms. Mueller has not only met my expectations but she has exceeded them in every way. She is exceptionally organized and on top of the curriculum. She cares tremendously about each student and it is clear she loves what she does. She is all of this while taking classes towards her Masters degree. But perhaps what has impressed me the most about Ms. Mueller is how well she knows each of her students’ unique abilities, family situations, skills, interests, and strengths. It is clear she has taken the time to know every student in front of her as an individual and as a result, each of the students in her class feels valued and important.

My son’s 1st grade class is exceptional, and that is not just because of who each student is as a person, but because of who their teacher is. Ms. Mueller makes these kids want to be better people and better students. And there is nothing more, as a parent, that I could ask for.

To paraphrase, Maya Angelou, these students may forget what Miss Mueller said. They may forget what she did. But they will NEVER forget how she made them feel.

Thank you Ms. Mueller for your dedication, for being an exceptional human being, and most of all, for being Ryan’s teacher.