Getting to Know Kindergarten Teacher, Ani Pirinjian

You have a gift for translating student interests into curriculum. If a group of your students suddenly became obsessed with something unexpected, how do you turn that spark into a lesson?

That is really kind, thank you. Fostering that excitement around learning is just as motivating for me as it can be for our young learners. When that spark happens, I start by looking at the grade level standards and collaborating with my team to brainstorm how we can seamlessly weave the topic into our curriculum. I also look for ways to connect the topic across multiple subject matters. For instance, if they suddenly become excited about snails, we might measure their shells in math, write investigative stories in literacy, read books about snails to learn more, and create model snails out of Play-Doh. Providing these cross-curricular opportunities allows us to feed our curiosity while naturally building deep connections.
 

We know you love art, crafting, and literacy. If we walked into your dream classroom, what is one "Ani-specific" touch or crafting corner we would see that really encourages a sense of curiosity and confidence?

I love these questions! One specific touch I strive for is leaving play as open-ended as possible. In our dramatic play kitchen, for example, I intentionally choose buttons, felt scraps, and loose parts as “food” rather than plastic or wooden toys. A professor once reminded me that no matter how much play food we stock, we can never truly encompass the diverse culinary backgrounds of every student. This stuck with me; it’s a powerful reminder that children enter the classroom with their own rich funds of knowledge. By keeping materials open-ended, students are invited to bring their own experiences to the table rather than imposing my own. If you walked into my classroom, you might see something as mundane as a paperclip adopted as a class mascot, a daily reminder to my students that their imagination is one of their most valuable tools for learning. 
 

Early childhood education takes a legendary amount of energy. When the school day ends, how do you like to reset so you can bring that same enthusiasm back the next morning?

I love to stay active: hiking, walking, etc. Being outdoors helps me clear my mind. I love crafting or trying new hobbies. I also love to cook and bake and find that experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen serves as a wonderful creative outlet outside the classroom. 
 

Do you have a favorite children’s book that you absolutely love reading aloud to your students?

There are so many incredible books to choose from, and Mo Willems' stories are always a hit in kindergarten. If I had to choose just one, it would be “Can I Play, Too?” It’s an unexpected and joyful twist on compromise (and effective when woven into a social-emotional lesson).  
 

Since you have a love for baking, if you had to describe the "recipe" for a perfect day in a kindergarten classroom, what would the key ingredients be?

I love how creative these questions are. The key ingredients would be structure, clear expectations, trust in your students, collaboration with colleagues, and a reminder to stay flexible.