Lowell — From the perspective of Alto Elementary kindergartners, there are many obvious reasons their teacher is a rock star.
“We get to have snacks,” said Kaizley.
“She goes outside with us,” said Sophia.
“She helps us by keeping us safe,” said Ellie.
“She lets us do coloring and Play-Doh,” said Opal. “She let us get all new colors yesterday.”
“She’s amazing! She shows us how to do things like count to 100,” said Kelliary, who then counted from one to 49. “I can get to 49.”
And, finally, the reason their teacher is a rock star is best explained by what the students call her every day: “Because she is happy!” said Kaizley.
Why is she so happy? Because the students are, explained the teacher in question, Sarah Happie.
“The kids are always happy to see you. They are always here for the hugs. They are excited to tell me something they did the night before or the day before, or even a month ago — it’s all relevant.
“Kindergarten is just my jam.”
‘There are always a million questions to be answered and many reminders given, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it when you get to live in the ‘aha’ moments.’
— Kindergarten teacher Sarah Happie
Two Decades of ‘Good Chaos’
Happie, whose married name is VanSpronsen, kept her maiden name for teaching. “My alias name is Mrs. Happie,” she said.
She is in her 20th year teaching kindergarten at Alto Elementary, where she has guided many students in becoming future readers, mathematicians, artists and scientists. A graduate of Lowell High School, she earned degrees in early education and special education, and a master’s in the art of teaching from Aquinas College. She and her husband, Justin VanSpronsen, have five children, ages 5 to 14.
“I love the kids. I love the excitement. I’ve stayed in kindergarten this whole time. I feel that you can see the most growth in kindergarten. They come in not knowing letters and sounds, and they leave reading.”
On a recent morning, students worked independently as Happie led a reading activity with students who sounded out words, using their “reading fingers” to follow the text. They rotated to stations where they counted with small toys, used playdough and finished other activities.
At the reading table, a trio of students practiced letters and sounds like “B, Bubba Bear,” “E, Ellie elephant” and read sight words: “at,” “of” and “the.”
Happie leaned down to whisper to them: “Can I tell you a secret? I can tell you’ve been practicing your sight words.”
The students nodded with pride and continued their reading.
Routine and Flexibility
Students stayed on task at their stations, knowing the routine and expectations set and practiced in the first week of school, but Happie still was ready to adapt at any moment.
“One thing I’ve learned teaching kindergarten is that you have to be flexible. Some days never go as planned. It can be chaotic, but a good sort of chaos,” she said. “There are always a million questions to be answered and many reminders given, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it when you get to live in the ‘aha’ moments.”
Those moments — as the awe of learning is experienced in real time — happen year round until students are ready to go on to first grade.
“They come in not necessarily knowing what school is, and you establish a routine. I love fostering independence. They can put the crayons and scissors out just as easily as I can. I make them independent learners.”
Happie had fellow Alto kindergarten teacher Emily Conlin’s daughter in her class 10 years ago.
“She knows how to make every child feel special, and her wonderful sense of humor makes her classroom a happy, welcoming place where kids can be themselves and truly feel loved,” Conlin said. “She is a great teacher academically, but more importantly, kids have fun in her room and feel like they belong.”
Administrative assistant Alicia Hollern said she sees how high expectations and routine work together in Happie’s class.
“Sarah has a way of providing a loving, fun learning atmosphere yet still being firm,” Hollern said. “She runs a tight ship in her classroom, but the kids love her and seem to crave the organization, routine and fun of her classroom and her.”
Many of those students come back to visit Happie years after their kindergarten days.
“We have many students every year who come back to see their favorite teacher, Mrs. Happie. We do a senior walk-through at the end of every year, and the seniors always want their pictures taken with Sarah in their cap and gowns,” Hollern said.
Those moments are especially joyful for Happie, serving as happy milestones 12 years after students were in her classroom.
“I love being able to see them. It’s such a special moment to reflect on, that (kindergarten) was their first school experience at Alto, and (that) I had an impact on that. I get the chance to see what the students have been up to and what their next steps are. It’s one of my favorite days. I love that they still remember me and are excited to see me.”
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