Sara Jones will serve as one of the Explorers II homeroom teachers. She will begin the year as an aide for Mrs. Schuchardt until Mrs. Schuchardt leaves to have her baby in October.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family. You’re a Clapham parent, correct? What made you want to transition into a faculty role?
I grew up in West Michigan and attended Hope College, which is where my parents, grandparents, and siblings all went. My family still lives in the Holland area, and we love traveling up there throughout the year to visit them. My husband is from Glen Ellyn. We met at Hope College and then moved to the Wheaton area after getting married. We have five children: three sons who are with us, and two little girls who are now with the Lord. We also have an English cream golden retriever named Knox—he just might be everyone’s favorite in the family!
I have always loved children and have spent most of my life caring for children. Prior to adopting our oldest sons from Ethiopia, I spent 9 years teaching in the public school system. After our boys came home, I transitioned to staying home to care for them and our growing family. We homeschooled for many years before sending our twins to Clapham last year. This year, all three of our boys will be attending Clapham school. From the first time we visited Clapham, we could tell it was a special school, committed not only to a rich education, but a rich Christian education with faculty and teachers all committed to discipleship, training, and the development of the whole child. After that first visit and watching our oldest boys flourish over this past year, I decided that if I went back into teaching, I would want to teach here.
What are you most looking forward to about Kindergarten at Clapham?
I love how Clapham combines the best of classical education with the best of Charlotte Mason methodology. From the structure of the curriculum to the schedule for the day, the entire program is aimed at developing the whole child through the cultivation of good habits, time for free play and exploration, the training of the mind through rich curriculum and instruction, and the nurturing of the heart through gospel rich reading, singing, and time spent praying together. I appreciate how Clapham aims to inspire and cultivate curiosity and a love for things that are true and good and beautiful, whether that’s through nature study, artist study, learning phonics, or reading the Bible together.
On a personal level, I love kindergartners! It is such a fun and special age, and I am excited to watch and share in all their joy and curiosity as they learn new things. I look forward to providing a warm and welcoming environment where they can learn and flourish in every way.
We know you have a heart for the gospel and discipleship in teaching. What truths are you most excited to cultivate for the EII students this year, and what is your plan for helping to foster discipleship in the classroom?
I truly view this position as a great privilege, responsibility, and ministry from the Lord. I am excited to help shape and influence students’ view of who God is and what he is like. I love that we will be reading the Bible together, praying together, and memorizing scripture and rich hymns together. I hope that through our time together, students come away knowing more deeply that God is very big, very powerful, very kind, and very close to them. I hope they will both learn about his love towards them and feel that love shown to them.
I also look forward to teaching and modeling how a Christian view of the world impacts everything about us: how we see the world, how we delight in God’s creation, how we work, how we learn, how we play, and how we treat one another. My prayer is that students will develop a deep love for learning and a curiosity about the world around them, and that throughout the year they will grow in kindness, diligence, attentiveness, and maturity.
What are you reading this summer? What are your favorite books to share with children?
I typically have several books going at one time. The proof of this is that our coffee table and nightstands are often overflowing with books! I love reading Christian living/theology books and recently finished reading Knowing God by JI Packer. I’ve read it several times, but each time it impacts and refreshes my heart. I also finished reading Tim Keller on the Christian Life, which I found to be very helpful and encouraging. One of my favorite books—one that has impacted me deeply—is a collection of letters written by John Newton. This collection inspired me to begin working my way through a biography of Newton’s life. I also enjoy reading historical fiction books and hope to squeeze one more in before summer is over.
Some of my favorite books to share with Children are The Jesus Storybook Bible, The Biggest Story, and Little Pilgrim’s Progress. I love the Bear Books by Karma Wilson, all of the books by Robert McCloskey, Frog and Toad, and so many more! Reading to children is one of my very favorite things!
What is the best way for parents to prepare their children to enter your and Mrs. Schuchardt’s classroom this fall?
I think the best way to prepare students for school is to read to them. There are so many benefits to reading aloud to children: it is one of the most effective ways to help children build vocabulary and language skills; it enhances attention span, memory, and imagination; it helps develop empathy and emotional intelligence; and it can help to build a foundation for a lasting love of reading and learning. Plus, it’s really fun! So, put them on your lap while you still can, and enjoy the time of sharing good stories together. I’m sure there could be more said, but now that my children are a bit older, if I could have them back at this age again, this is the one thing I’d spend more time doing!
