He's head of the class

NEA Today, Sep 1999

In his classroom, Georgia kindergarten teacher Andrew Baumgartner has hosted Sleeping Beauty's wedding and knighted Jack after he killed the giant at the top of the beanstalk.

For this sort of creativity. sense of adventure, and joy in the art of teaching, Baumgartner was "knighted" the 1999 National Teacher of the Year last spring by the competition s sponsors, the Council of Chief State School Officers and Scholastic Inc.

"When fun disappears from learning," Baumgartner believes, "learning gets lost for children."

A 23-year teaching veteran and NEA member, Baumgartner knows the job isn't all fun. It wasn't easy, he acknowledges, to become a male kindergarten teacher.

"The stereotype is that teachers have to be motherly," he says. "But being paternal is of equal importance. And little boys in school need to see men succeeding."

Baumgartner will spend the coming year touring the nation, speaking out on behalf of teachers and quality public education. His biggest issues: respect and professionalism for teachers, opportunities for men in education. and the educational needs of young children.

For more information about the Teacher of the Year competition or to inquire about Baumgartner's speaking schedule, go to www.ccsso.org/ntoy.html