Honestly in a classroom of 26 you wonder can a teacher even make a difference? The answer is absolutely yes. I get emotional even thinking about it. Through COVID my son was in daycare at a center that pushed for perfection. My son would come home crushed by the day not being perfect or messing up, when daycare was suppose to be fun. NOW my son comes home excited to tell me about his day, achieving more and more and growing so fast. Mr. Alumbaugh took my sons bleak outlook on education and turned it into so much fun and growth. One night we get home and we finish a page of homework, eat dinner, and he sits down on the couch to play Fortnite (every child favorite game). Mid game he stops and turns to me and says "Mom, Mr. Alumbaugh said we should read more, and reading can be fun if you read stuff thats interesting." I stopped in my tracks and thought "Did my son just stop playing video games by choice to read?" And thats exactly what we did we went and read. Every scholastics bookfair he rushes through those pages picking out what he could possibly bring home to read. And yes at 6 years old my son picked out history chapter books to read as a family. He sees his own potential, the need to learn and grow has impacted even my life. We have an open house for school and he begged me to go - he wanted to show me all that he has learned. We first get into that classroom you know what - he sits and reads me a book. Mr. Alumbaugh comes over beaming with pride. Like my one child out of 26 - and this man knows every quirk, need, and where he needs improvement. THAT IS A TEACHER WHO CARES. My son who didn't want to go to school - now every break asks me is it a school day. He enjoys every aspect of it. He comes home and wants to do puzzles, read, and write. Chase has now boasted about the fact he still wants to be a teacher. Chase plays every sport. He is athletic and quite tall. Chase loves video games and challenges. And you know what? Out of all of this he wants to be a Kindergarten teacher like Mr. Alumbaugh. Not a professional basketball player or the next TIK TOK sensation. One thing I love about this man is understanding every child is different. Every child learns at a different pace. In the morning when Chase finished his morning work early - Mr. Alumbaugh has him help his fellow classmates if they need help. How genius is that, how interactive and awarding is that? Chase feels like a leader and he may not be the smartest kid in his class but he challenges himself now. He wants to learn more and help other people. Mr. Alumbaughs kindness and focus has really helped shape my son. I couldnt ask for anything better and I am tearing up even typing this. No mother wants their child to struggle, or to hate school, or to feel defeated because they cant keep up. Mr. Alumbaughs curriculum is perfect for any child growing and learning and developing. When Chase graduates from highschool, I know we both with remember Mr. Alumbaugh his kindergarten teacher who literally shaped his love and admiration for learning. I cant thank him enough.