Hello! So very happy to have you in my little corner of the world down here in South Florida. I'm Susan Menard, the founder of Kinder Source.
First and foremost, I am a Christian woman trying my best to follow the plan God has established for me. I've been married to my wonderful husband since 2015. We have two beautiful children who are full of life and teach us more about how to live God's plan in their simple, joyful ways than we could have ever learn on our own. (Another reason I love children, but more on that later.)
I'm a Florida Native and I love turtles! I may be part iguana because of my constant need for humidity and Hot sunshine on me in order for me to survive. If I'm cold (73 degrees or below), I too will freeze solid like an iguana. IYKYK.
My Background
In high school, my first job was at a preschool as a floater in the afternoon, which is like a teacher's aide. After high school and some college, I became lead teacher for different preschool ages (1 year through VPK). My parents tried to "train up [their] child in the way [she] should go", by encouraging me to do what I do best... teach children but my stubbornness prevented me from actually getting certified to teach until much later.
I continued to teach preschool until I earned my teaching certifications in 2012. I started as an Elementary Music Teacher. That was fun, but exhausting. After my third year, I earned Teacher of the Year! What an accomplishment... but I still wanted more.
On to 4th grade... oh boy! Admittedly, this was my worst year of teaching. I barely kept my nose out of the water. I was drowning, but I learned a tremendous amount about teaching and myself. Fourth graders are great by themselves but teaching a classroom full of them and teaching the difficult concepts of fourth grade was not for me.
However, it quickly turned around as the next couple years were my best years of teaching. I was happily moved to Kindergarten where I could shine! My last day of formal teaching was the day before my water broke with our oldest.
I do miss many of the aspects of teaching; the kids, the learning, the excitement of new concepts and ways to teach them, etc.
But the politics in and around education are better to be left in the dumpster out back and set to fire! Most of my time in education was even spent at a school where I could teach with some flexibility in how the lessons were taught but I still was faced with brick walls and too much paperwork to fully enjoy it. It was the test scores (yes, even in Kindergarten), the "no religion in school" policies, the "you have to teach exactly this, even if the kids aren't ready for it".... This meant my students couldn't fully grasp a concept before moving on. They would move further and further behind to only be pushed into the next grade level. I want to TEACH, not just present.
Life as a Mama
I knew I always wanted to be a wife and Mama. When asked, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" It was always my answer, at least inwardly. I unfortunately learned to say a different answer.
I've always been good with children, even when I was one! You know how extroverts are energized when they are around people and introverts are energized when they are alone? I'm energized when I am interacting with children. I love how children see life! How their imaginations run wild! How they can look at complex things with such simplicity! Watching and learning from children is such a joy! They know how to live life. Us adults just complicate things.
Yes, even my own children can "drive me up a wall", but I can also stop with them and laugh about the absolute mess that was made when we turned the mixer on too fast and flour flew everywhere!
My Purpose
Kinder - It is short for Kindergarten but it means so much more to me. By Oxford's definition Kind(er) means "having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature." I want to be both of those definitions for you: a source for your Kinders (littles) AND a friendly, generous, and considerate support for you and your child(ren) so we can grow towards God together.
I'm here for you!
If you have a newborn or your child is already in elementary school, I'm here.
If you homeschool, your children are in private, or public school, great! I'm here. I believe you have to make the best decision you can for the needs of your child(ren) and your family.
Let me know how I can meet your needs. If there is something you are struggling with or have questions, please let me know. I do not profess to know all things about all the things kids, but I will happily point you in the right direction if needed.
