I find it exciting each year when our Christmas decor boxes get unpacked from our storage area. It’s fun to root through the bins and reminisce about past Christmases. “Mrs. Goodman’s Santa” is a special piece that brings back a flood of happy memories!

Mrs. Goodman was my boys’ kindergarten teacher at CH Cambell Elementary in Canfield, Ohio. They adored her. She was a quintessential teacher; sweet, calm, and a loving presence as my kids started their educational journey. I remember my oldest and I meeting her for the first time about a week before school started. We sat on the floor as she asked him questions in her soft voice with all her attention focused solely on him. I felt a bond with her at that moment and I knew I wanted to be involved in her classroom as “Room Mom”. 

 Together, Mrs. Goodman and I orchestrated a delightful fall and Halloween celebration, as well as, Christmas for their classroom. It was such a surprise when she presented me with a big box a couple of days before the holiday break. Inside was a beautiful vintage 2 foot Santa dressed in a patchwork coat with kind eyes and a fluffy white beard. Both my kids knew I assisted in the classroom and was thrilled that she presented their mom with such a special gift. It was my youngest, who also had her as his teacher two years later, who named him “Mrs. Goodman’s Santa”. 

Each year when I bring the Santa out of the box I think about all the fun she and I had working together that year and especially how both my kids had the perfect kindergarten experience because of her. What puts the cherry on top is her classroom had also been MY room as a young kindergartener many years prior when I attended CH Campbell Elementary in 1973! I certainly felt right at home after meeting Mrs. Goodman that very first time! This year our special Santa turns 19 years and the story never gets old!

Jeanne Goodman and I have been Facebook friends for a few years now. I love keeping in touch and seeing her enjoying retirement!