Bobbie Tonkin

The Conscience of First Grade

Once first grade teacher Bobbie Tonkin survived her first few months at Breck, she knew she could get through anything.

There was no classroom available for her, so she and her first Breck class took up residence in the Board Room above the Lower School library/media center. "They brought in a chalkboard and some desks," she recalls. "And the kids had a lot of fun watching their new classroom get built. They’d talk to the painters, compliment them on the job they were doing, and make sure they knew they were ready to move in."

When her actual classroom was ready sometime in November, her fellow first-grade team members threw a "room warming" shower for them with gifts and decorations. "She was such a trouper," observes Lower School Dean Alice Wright. “I still remember how much fun we all had helping them move."

Bobbie says she absolutely loves first graders. "It’s a magical year," she says. "They grow and change so much. It’s amazing to watch them become more independent, and they’re so open, kind and compassionate." She has also learned a lot about first-grade humor. “They love jokes," she smiles, “and so I get to use a lot of humor in my teaching."

When she received one of the first-ever Jean Wigley Awards for Excellence in Teaching, she was praised for her ability to make strong connections with her students. Says Lower School Director Peg Bailey, "I’m always amazed at how attuned Bobbie is to each one of her students. She is one of the most caring, sensitive teachers ... so quick to challenge her students and learn right alongside them."

Her colleagues say they appreciate Bobbie as a team member. "She always takes our professional conversations to a deeper level," says Cathy Preissing. Noting Bobbie’s background in learning disabilities (She taught at Groves before coming to Breck), Jane Bartow observes, "She brings such strength to our curriculum, by thinking issues through from the point of view of someone having difficulty, and she’s very creative in finding ways to approach the children." And Alice Wright says, "Bobbie’s is such a great voice in our department. She’s always thinking ahead, for example when she asks questions to make sure we’re completely thinking of the children’s safety on field trips. I think of Bobbie as the conscience of first grade."

When she’s not at Breck — or on the sidelines at some local park watching a student's soccer game — Bobbie enjoys singing in her church choir, playing the piano and reading, especially fiction. She’s especially close to her three-year-old grand-niece, Molly, and loves spending time with her.

A graduate of Richfield High School, Bobbie has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in special education from the University of St. Thomas. Since coming to Breck, she’s also pursued professional development in several areas, including the PriMath program, reading workshops, national conventions and a number of classes.

Most of all, she says the real pleasure is the lasting connections with her current and former students. "I love it when my students come back as senior buddies," she smiles. "They remember the most incredible things from their own experience, and it’s wonderful to be on a single campus where I can still see them. To be able to congratulate Susannah on her hat trick in a hockey game or watch Devin come in to read books to my class or have someone invite me to listen to a senior speech … even to walk my kids through senior hallway on the way to art class … the fact that we’re all together on the same campus is so amazing. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had here at Breck."