AMARILLO, TEXAS -- "Word walls and shapes and colors", said new kindergarten teacher for Coronado Elementary, Kate McDonald as she described her new classroom.
Those are all things you'd expect to see in the classroom of a kindergarten teacher but to Kate McDonald, it's all brand new.
After growing up in Amarillo and attending college at Texas A&M, Kate landed her first teaching job right back at home in Amarillo as a kindergarten teacher at Coronado Elementary School -- an opportunity she knows she's lucky to have.
"I think I'm very fortunate that I got a job and I think Amarillo is a really good place to start working", said McDonald.
But first day of school nerves, Kate assured us, aren't only for students.
"I've never experienced my own classroom or the first day of school when they walk through the door and they're mine. I'm excited and nervous and all of these emotions at one time. But when Monday rolls around, it'll be a really great experience", added McDonald.
An experience, no doubt made easier thanks to the advice of fellow teachers.
"Everyone's excited but they're new and we give them a lot of ideas too so we like to share ideas with them", said one of McDonald's co-workers, 5th grade reading teacher, Dale Suther.
"They're always there to help you. They're showing me how things work and you should try this or do this and it's really nice to have people who are there to support you and help you", said McDonald.
As excited as Kate is to start her new career, it's the kids and their success, she says, that really matter.
"I think my favorite part is just getting to work with the kids. Without teachers most people wouldn't be the places that they are now and I think it's a really rewarding experience to get to do this every day", continued McDonald.
