Male teacher at Jamestown Elementary School finds niche in kindergarten class

PHILLIP BLEDSOE

(By Norma B. Dennis, Jamestown News) - When the door opened for Phillip Bledsoe to teach kindergarten at Jamestown Elementary School, he gladly walked through it. In the eight years he has been teaching he has worked with every grade level in elementary school, but definitely likes kindergarten the best.

“It is their first year of school. If they have a positive experience it will stick with them,” Bledsoe said. “I want them to find out, right off, that learning is fun. I try to make every day enjoyable.”

Bledsoe loves music and often incorporates singing or dancing into his lessons. Whatever the format his lessons may take, however, he teaches with a sense that his students are little adults, noting his view might come from the fact he had no brothers or sisters.

“I treat my students with respect,” he said. “I see them as young minds that should not be treated like babies. I think the kids like it. They feel comfortable interacting with me.