We loved our daughter’s teacher the moment we met her. She made our visit so warm and inviting. Her classroom was so cheery and fun from the moment we entered the door. My husband and I both agreed that it was by far the most nurturing, warm and friendliest classroom that we had visited all week. We loved how her “classroom” was structured with such a variety of curriculum for all of the kids, including those with learning disabilities.

She helped our transition from complete home care to Pre-K go so smoothly. Both my husband and I had heard lots of stories about children who have separation anxiety and scream and cry when they are taken to school in the morning. We NEVER had to experience that. In fact, when I would pull up in the mornings Tasha would get so excited. It was when I picked her up from school, that I would I have to drag her kicking and screaming, not wanting to leave.

What a comfort it was to never have to worry about our daughter during the day for we knew that she was happy and well cared for. Mrs. Dorothy cared for her as if she were her own child. She would always pay close attention to each of the children and really “knew” them. She knew their favorite color, what pets they had and what they wanted to be when they grew up. She would say to our daughter upon arrival, “Here comes my little Veterinarian”, for this is what Tasha wanted to be.

We were so pleased that our little girl was learning more than just her ABC’s and 123’s, more importantly, she was learning social skills. She learned to play with other children and was daily practicing “sharing” and “taking turns”, which was something that we had not been able to accomplish at home.

Everything in Mrs. Dorothy’s class came to live when she was teaching. I’ll never forget the day Tasha came home and knew how tall Abraham Lincoln was and that George Washington had cut down a cherry tree. The children all brought home a little bag of cherries to share with their family. Another memorable day was St. Patrick’s Day when Tasha came home with a piece of gold (a rock painted gold) and told us all about the leprechaun that had messed up their room during rest time. We searched for months for that Leprechaun and never found him.
I was absolutely flabbergasted that she was always bringing home artwork that now hangs on our walls and is cherished everyday as I walk by and see the tiny hands and feet that today is teaching in her own classroom and all because of one teacher who jumpstarted her love for learning! Dorothy Murfin talked a lot about passion during our visit to her classroom — her passion for teaching, for reading and for learning. I can tell you that if there were ever a teacher that had it ~ she did; however, above all, she wanted her students to have it and she shared it with them! That is the definition of not just any teacher but a great one! Thank you so much, Mrs. Dorothy!
Sincerely,

Lisa and Kirby Deals