Madore, Polston join staff at Pine Island Elementary
Amber Madore and Kay Polston are new members of the educational staff at Pine Island Elementary School.
Madore said while she is in her fourth year of teaching, this is her first year as a kindergarten teacher and also her first year at Pine Island Elementary.
“I spent the last 2 years in the first grade and the year before that I was in third grade,” Madore said.
Like many before her, landing in Pine Island as a teacher was very exciting to her.
“When I came here and met everyone, they were so welcoming — I got that small community feeling right away and I love it,” Madore said.
Pine Island, which she describes as amazing, has already won her over, as she considers this, not simply a change in location from Fort Myers, but a lasting career move.
“I’m looking for my home in teaching, and I definitely think Pine Island is that place,” Madore said.
Relationships with her students are off to an auspicious start, as Madore said she has been welcomed by students and their families. At this point, she said she would like to grow as an educator and in the community as she gets to know everyone. To Pine Island, she said she is very thankful for the warm welcome she’s already received.
Pine Island Elementary School Counselor Kay Polston said this is her 25th year in education. She has been working for the district and said last year there were budget cuts which meant she got cut to half the time, she said.
“I was hoping to get another part-time job,” Polston said.
While she’s done out-of-state high school counseling work, she is now starting her 6th year in Florida elementary school counseling work. When it comes to location, she said Pine Island was rated pretty high on her list. Something she has learned along the way is the difference in children, even within the same family.
“As far as parenting, you have to have your routines and boundaries, but as far as how to approach children, their different personalities play a role,” Polston said.
Some of the important aspects of the health team are making sure the students have enough clothing, food, access to licensed mental health professionals, which, she said, depends on the size of the school. Her desire is that Pine Islanders continue to keep the island as special as it is now.
“So many cities are changing with the times and that can look very different, depending on where you live. Keep doing what you’re doing,” Polston said.
Polston said the arts are very important, noting the creativity and the many artists on Pine Island. Another thing that makes the Pine Island Elementary special, she said, is the culture here.
“Here, there is a real team feeling — everyone’s real friendly — they make you feel valued and special. That’s why I like working here,” Polston said.