Surprise kindergarten work recognition

A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step, and kindergarten teacher Gillian Melvin knows how important the first step can be.

Kindy is about community, and learning is crucial for children - it sets them up for the rest of their lives, Mrs Melvin said.

Having always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, she joined the Balclutha Free Kindergarten Association in 1984.

She became head teacher, and is now the senior teacher for the Balclutha, Rosebank and Milton kindergartens.

When the association held its Christmas dinner two weeks ago, Mrs Melvin thought she was going to make speeches to registering teachers, and was surprised to find herself the guest of honour at a function celebrating 25 years of service.

"I had no idea this was happening . . . an end-of-year Christmas function is what I thought I was going to.

It was a very emotional night for me, and for once in my life I was speechless.

"I was presented with a gold ring and a giraffe, which is my favourite animal, and a huge bunch of roses.

"They have promised me at 50 years I'll get a gold Zimmer frame, but I've asked them if they could upgrade to a gold mobile scooter," she said.

Mrs Melvin said the real highlight for her was seeing the faces of everyone who had fed into her on her journey"Seeing all those people walk through the door," she recalled, ". . . it was like a big familycoming together to celebrate.

"I could look around the room and think, `I got that from you, and I got that from you', they have made me who I am."

There was a sense of connectedness between the group, and support from the staff she works with and the families of the children are vital to the education of the child, Mrs Melvin said.

"Without them working alongside us, we wouldn't be able to go on this journey with their child.

"I never stop learning, that's why I love this job . . . The day it feels like I have been here 25 years is the day I'll leave."

rachel.taylor@odt.co.nz