Bethel teacher: ‘I’m just excited for the kids to be in school full time’

BETHEL TWP. — As some students in the Miami Valley enjoy their last few days of summer, teachers are already preparing for the upcoming school year.

Ashley McElroy is a kindergarten teacher at Bethel Local Schools and has spent the past few days in her classroom getting everything ready.

“This is our bulletin board. And these are some my favorite books that I read throughout the year,” McElroy said.

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While her students enjoy the last days of summer, McElroy said she recruited her own children to help get her own classroom ready for the upcoming year.

“I’ve Been trying to come in, some will knock it out in one day. I’m not that teacher. I’ll come an hour hear and there. This time I paid my kids to help me out and move furniture, which they loved since they heard I was going to be on the news,” McElroy said.

From decorations to desks, books and more, there’s a lot to get ready. The pandemic means extra preparations are needed.

McElroy said, “Last year with COVID was a challenge. This year, it’s a little more laxed. We have to wait to see what the CDC says, but we have hand sanitizer out and wipes.”

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While not everything in her classroom is quite ready for the first day, McElroy still has some time until the first day of class.

She said they get their class list so she will busy getting names written on names tags on the desk and on every workbook. She will also be finishing up her bulletin boards.

Most students at Bethel Local Schools return to class on August 24.

“I’m just excited for the kids to be in school full time instead of the virtual learning. We’re just excited to have our little ones here,” McElroy said.

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