Mrs. Janette Mathison

Mrs. Janette Mathison

Kindergarten Teacher

My name is Janette Mathison and I am honored to be the kindergarten teacher at Pine Harbor Christian Academy.  A little history about me is that I grew up in a Christian home in northwest Iowa.  After high school, I ventured to Missouri to attend college at Northwest Missouri State University where I graduated with a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood.  For eight years, I enjoyed teaching children in Christian preschool settings.  Then I had the privilege to become a kindergarten teacher for more than twelve years in two private schools in the metro.

My philosophy of teaching is based on the true love and respect for children. I believe that God made each child a unique individual ready to learn and grow.  Finding success is important, because it helps the children feel confident in their work, in themselves and in their lives. To achieve success, we must provide a risk free environment, enabling the children to express themselves and help them find their voice.  This not only provides a positive experience, but also develops their spiritual and social skills for the real world.

My favorite memory verse is a simple but meaningful message.  Jesus said, “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John 15:12.   I am looking forward to guide your children and work with you as we model to the world Jesus’ commandment and make a difference in the world.

Kindergarten is all about learning in a fun and exciting way.  My goal as your child’s kindergarten teacher will be to give your child every opportunity to grow in God’s love as we explore concepts to beginning a lifelong love to learn.

What does kindergarten look like at Pine Harbor Christian Academy?

Our kindergarten classroom is an inviting and safe environment with many opportunities for all to explore and grow.

Bible: Our bible curriculum is A Beka. It focuses on bible truths in the Old and New Testament.  Each bible truth is explained in a matter that teaches the kindergartners how to apply the bible truths to their own lives.  The kindergartners begin to memorize scripture.  We also meet as a school for weekly chapel gatherings.

MathHoughton Mifflin Go Math is our core curriculum we use for our math study.  Some of the concepts that are introduced are counting, number writing, money, measurement, patterns, 2-D and 3-D shapes, addition, subtraction and telling time.

Language Arts: (Phonics – Handwriting – Reading – Writing)   The core curriculum that we use for our Language Art lessons comes also from A Beka.  We begin the year focusing on letter recognition and letter sounds as well as correctly forming our letters.  Then mid-way through the year our focus is on word families, spelling and writing.  All year we are working on reading skills and memorizing “passwords” which are sight words.

Science & Social Studies: We use A Beka curriculum for our Science and Social Studies too.  The fun filled and challenging themes include God’s Plan for Seasons and Weather, America – Our Great Country, Children Around the World, God’s Creation of Animals and much more.

Daily Specialists: At Pine Harbor Christian Academy we are blessed with talented teachers who teach library, music, physical education and technology classes.