Hello Kindergarten Parents!

Welcome to a brand new school year at Whitman Elementary!  

My name is Thomas O'Brien and I will be your child's Kindergarten teacher. This will be my twentieth year of teaching and my first year here at Whitman. I am married to my wife Lisa and together we have two children (Madelyn & Dylan). I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and I love to play and watch sports.

I am looking forward to getting to know both you and your child this school year. Kindergarten is an exciting beginning to your child's educational journey!

I believe each child possesses unique strengths and abilities. The instruction in my classroom is differentiated, which allows each individual to be supported, challenged, and successful in the learning process. I strive to provide a caring atmosphere that fosters social and emotional support and the freedom to experiment and explore. My classroom environment is enriched by playful inquiry which helps kindergartners to become inquisitive, reflective, and critical learners. Some important daily classroom activities include but are not limited to: The Daily Five (a structured time during reading in which the students are independently engaged in meaning literacy tasks such as independent reading, writing, partner reading, read alouds, and word work). Math includes whole group and small group instruction with a focus on centers, manipulatives, and real world problem solving.

I look forward to being part of your child's lifelong journey in education!

Mr. Thomas O'Brien