Elementary school teacher shares excitement and concern as new school year begins [Video]

School kicks off for many in New Mexico this week, and a first grade teacher at Hodgin Elementary School is getting ready to return to school.”It’s really cool to see the little tiny, cuddly little kindergarten kind of develop into this, like, overall amazing little learner,” Mrs. Montoya said. However, Mrs. Montoya expressed her concerns about a growing issue. “Absenteeism, like, I think that that is a growing issue, and I’m not sure why that is. I know, as soon as COVID hit, everybody really got stuck,” she said. She urged parents to ensure their children attend school regularly and punctually. “The most meaningful lessons are taught first thing in the morning when the children are most alert,” she said. She also noted the difficulty for students who miss these core instructions. “But it is hard for those kids who, you know, miss because then they’re missing that really core …