December 23, 2004

Almaden Country School Kindergarten Teacher June Chapman with student Makena Hubbard. Photo Courtesy of June Chapman.

Teacher of the Month: June Chapman
Almaden Country School

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Kindergarten teacher June Chapman teaches her students at Almaden Country School with an open mind and an open heart.

For Chapman, who has taught kindergarten for 30 years, including 20 at Almaden Country School, teaching is a pleasure. “I go to school, and I’m told I’m loved every day,” she says. “Why wouldn’t I want to come to work?”

A developmental teacher, Chapman strives to make learning fun, catering lessons to her students’ strengths and learning styles, including creating teaching songs.

“I sing my way through the curriculum, making up songs as I go along,” she says. “We play at our activities. We play math. We play language arts. We do puppetry. I really try to make things magical for them so they will remember.”

Chapman also takes a personal delight in her students’ success, and enjoys seeing the pride evident on their faces when they learn something new. “I see the joy in childhood.

That’s what I cherish,” she shares, “the joy in childhood.”

As her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother were teachers, it was only natural that Chapman followed in their footsteps. “I knew I was going to be a teacher since I was a little girl,” she laughs. Carrying on their family tradition to the fifth generation, her son also became a teacher.

Chapman attended San Jose State University, earning a degree in early childhood education. She was a drama and musical theater teacher when she joined Almaden Country School, and continues to add her creativity to their community theater productions. In fact, she and her husband have performed in the school’s productions for years.

As Chapman lives in the Almaden community, she sometimes runs into her students outside of school. “They are so surprised when they see me at the store, or when they’re walking the dog,” she laughs. “They must think I live at school.”

At the end of the year, the class takes a photograph at the park lying on the grass. Illustrating their closeness, some of the children climb upon Chapman’s back, and others lean against her. “It’s our special remembrance,” shares Chapman, who sends a copy of the picture home with each student. Chapman adores the children, and the feeling is mutual. In fact, she says that one of her greatest thrills is when her previous students pay her a visit, including college graduates, letting her know that she touched their lives.

Kindergarten student Makena Hubbard, who submitted Chapman for teacher of the month, says that her teacher is the sweetest in the world. “Makena is an extremely loving and insightful child,” replies Chapman. “She’s kind, smart, athletic and creative. I love her.”

Chapman shares a personal tie with Makena’s family, as she introduced her parents—who are both teachers—to each other, and taught kindergarten to Makena’s brother about 10 years ago. “I’ve been connected with the family for a very long time,” comments Chapman. “Now Makena is in June’s class and absolutely adores school,” says her mother, Anne Hubbard. “June’s number-one priority in life is the love and well being of children. She means so much to so many people.” 

“I never want to leave Country School,” says Chapman. “It’s such a wonderful place to be.”

Submitted by Makena Hubbard, age 5:

“Mrs. Chapman is the sweetest teacher in the world!  She does all the things that I like. She gives homework to learn good stuff. If someone’s mom didn’t give their son or daughter a kiss or a hug, Mrs. Chapman will do it for them. She loves kids A LOT!!!!!  I have known her all my life. She even taught my brother, and he is 16!  She is very nice to all the kids.  She loves us a lot too.  She makes up very special songs.  I love her a lot
too. She has lots of fun stuff for us to play with.  She says very sweet things about us. On conference meetings she talks about really good stuff to our parents about us.”

Could your teacher be the next Almaden Times Teacher of the Month?
The Almaden Times Weekly is accepting essays from students honoring the special teachers in their lives. We will make every effort to acknowledge every teacher and every essay which is sent in. Send us a short (maximum 300-word essay) on your teacher and how they have affected your life. This can be a past or present teacher.

Teachers can be an elementary, middle or high school teacher who teaches at a school within the 95120 or 95118 zip codes. E-mail the essay to julie@timesmediainc.com or fax the essay to (408) 494-7078. The editorial staff will choose an essay each month. The student’s essay will appear in the paper and the student will receive a gift certificate to McDonald’s. The teacher will be featured in the paper and receive a gift certificate to Pure Bliss Day Spa and Amato’s Pizzeria. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address and school at the end of your essay.