Mrs. Lundquist & Mrs. Hayes

First Grade Teachers

Mrs. Lundquist is a wonderful co-worker

and a dear friend in Christ.

“Serving the Lord together”

My name is Georgia Hayes and I am a first grade teacher at Christian Center School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sioux Falls is a beautiful city of around 125,00 people with a gorgeous falls right near downtown. Our city is named after the Sioux Indians and our beautiful falls. Click here to see all about South Dakota.

Sioux Falls is a beautiful city to visit and live in.

I was born and raised in Sioux Falls. I have taught in public schools in Sioux Falls and also in California. I came to Christian Center School in 1985 and the Lord has blessed me by being able to teach in such an outstanding school with a wonderful staff of fellow Christian teachers and fantastic parents.

I graduated from Dakota State College, Madison, S.D. with a degree in Elementary Ed. and the University of California with an Art major. I love gardening and so enjoy working in my perennial flower patch and the absolute beauty that the Lord has created. Here are a few photos of my garden. I just love the yellows, purples and whites in a garden. I am also a birdhouse collector and have many for the birds to come and be welcome.

I have been teaching for 32 years and everyday is like the first day of school. I love teaching and consider it a “gift from the Lord.” We have very actively involved parents in our classroom and we consider that so important in a well-rounded learning environment.

My husband and I have two wonderful sons who have left the nest and both graduated from college. Our oldest son, Matthew, graduated from the University of SD School of Medicine and is doing his residency in radiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He is truly blessed of the Lord in the field of medicine. Our youngest son, David, graduated from the University of Alaska in Anchorage and is working in banking. He has traveled all over the world. He is truly an adventuresome young man and God has blessed him with a creative talent in photography/journalism also. We are very proud of our sons and they both love the Lord and that is first and foremost.

Photos of Matthew and David up in Alaska and their many adventures.
Matthew with fellow residents He is 2^nd from right.	David doing underwater photography.	David enjoying the view from the top in Alaska.

I took my first computer class a few summers ago and I “got hooked on creating my web site.” I certainly claimed the verse, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthened me.”(Phil. 4:13) I am learning so much and have fellow teachers who help me out. I hope to add a lot more as time progresses. I thank the Lord for His wisdom and guidance in teaching me and being able to teach children how to love, follow and serve our Lord.

Click on to read:

Thoughts At The Bottom of the Beanstalk

Home Activities That Promote Literacy

Here are a few ideas of things that you can do with your child at home.

· Talk with your child about school.

· Read often with your child.

· Discuss stories and events.

· Take them to libraries.

· Encourage reading as a free time activity.

· Support them in their homework.

· Select safe, educational toys.

· Play and talk with your child daily.

· Have your child write stories and bind them in a simple book.

· Let your child know you are interested in what they are saying.

· Restrict the amount of time spent in front of a T.V.

· Restrict the use of video and computer games.

· Enjoy every day with your child as they grow up too fast.

When reading a book with your children, you can:

· Take your time reading. Do not rush.

· Point to the words as you read.

· Help them to see that there are spaces between words that you read from the top of the page to the bottom and that you read from left to right.

· Ask them to think about the story as you read it.

· From time to time, talk about specific letters and words in the story.

· Get library cards for your children and let them choose books to check out.

· Let your children participate in community literacy programs.

· Enroll them in library-sponsored summer reading programs.

· Encourage your older children to read with your younger children.

· Remember to keep reading aloud to your children even after they read on their own!

Sites to Check Out:

Your Little Kids

Your Kids

The Starfish

A Poem About Making a Difference

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the

ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach

before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down

the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer.

He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance

in the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up

As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the

young man wasn’t dancing, but instead he was reaching down

to the shore, picking up something and very gently

throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, “Good morning! What are

you doing?”

The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing

starfish in the ocean.”

“I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish

into the ocean?”

The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don’t throw

them in they’ll die.”

“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and

miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make

a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picking up

another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the waves and

said-“It made a difference for that one.”

If we made a difference in the life of one child—

it was worth it all!!!

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped:

Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

and with my song I will praise him.

Psalm 28:7