Andrea Pavik

Where do you teach?

Riverside Early Learning Center

What grade/subject do you teach?

Preschool

Why do you teach?

I love the excitement young children have about learning everything! Being a part of that and watching the surprise and enthusiasm light up their faces each time they learn or accomplish something new brings me immeasurable joy.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the day is story time. I love sharing stories with children and bringing them to life. The children love hearing their favorite stories again and again, acting them out, and “reading” the stories to each other after we’ve read them together.

What are you working hardest on right now?

I’m working really hard with the children on developing social friendship and problem solving skills. These are critical life skills for success all the way through adulthood. The children need to be directly taught how to handle strong feelings, solve problems, and share and take turns.

What are you most proud of as a teacher?

I teach in an inclusive classroom of 3 to 5 year olds with and without disabilities. I am most proud when I see children show compassion for their differences, encourage one another, accept one another, and learn from each other. When children see all children as valuable friends with different gifts they bring to the world, I see hope for a bright future in our world.

What makes you the happiest as a teacher?

I feel happiest when I see a child conquer new learning and proudly share or show what they’ve learned. Maybe it’s taken a long time to get there or maybe they mastered it easily. Maybe they’ve learned to write their name or how to open a milk carton or how to walk. No matter what it is, whenever I see that look of accomplishment and joy on their faces I know why I’m here.

How do you contribute to/how are you involved in our community outside of school?

I am actively involved at Northfield Church of Christ as part of the worship team and nursery volunteer. I currently serve as president of the Fort Dodge Senior High Speech & Drama Boosters. I play with the Fort Dodge Area Symphony and the Sonshine Singers. I am a member of PEO Chapter NJ. I invest a lot of time in helping out with activities my own two children are involved in.

What are your interests/hobbies outside of school?

I love music, so any opportunity to play the violin or sing is something I enjoy being a part of. I also enjoy sewing and reading. The highlight to any day for me is playing catch with my son, Cael, making music with my daughter, Victoria, or spending time outdoors with my husband, Michael.

What do you wish your students/families knew about you?

I genuinely love and care about each child in my class. Even after they move on, they are still “mine.” As they grow up, I rejoice when I see them succeed, and shed tears when their lives take difficult turns. No matter how old they are, you can be certain that each time I think of them, I say a prayer for them.

What does Together We Rise mean to you?

Together We Rise means that everything we do impacts each other. What we do now in preschool impacts the future in the elementaries, the middle school, the high school, and our community as a whole and vice versa. Therefore we must all work together and be intentional so every student and every staff member is an important part of the whole spurring one another on together. We must believe in everyone!