33

AROUND SIERRA MADRE

Mountain View News Saturday, November 8, 2025


MEET JOANNA BREITSCHWERDT: Redefining Early Learning

When you are dreaming up the perfect Transitional 
Kindergarten classroom for your child, what do you 
envision? Maybe a room filled with bright colors, 
big windows that allow the sunshine to fill the space, 
brand new books, small tables and chairs with your 
child’s name written on a placecard, and a teacher who 
warms the room with a vibrant smile, making your 
child feel at home.

This is what you will find in Mrs. Joanna Breitschwerdt’s 
(Mrs. B) Transitional Kindergarten classroom 
at St. Rita School. Stepping into Mrs. B's classroom is 
entering a world of imagination & discovery, a world 
that begins daily with an enthusiastic “Good Morning!” 
Mrs. B says it best when expressing that, “ TK is as 
much about learning how to share, take turns, express 
feelings, and build friendships as it is about academics. 
Helping students navigate these first experiences with 
kindness and confidence is deeply rewarding.”

Mrs. B’s unique blend of play-based learning, structure, academic curriculum, and creativity 
sets her apart and makes her class a coveted spot for young learners. Whether students are 
dressed in their lab coat and safety goggles, performing a science experiment or swishing their 
hands through shaving cream while tracing numbers and letters, Mrs. B transforms everyday 
lessons into unforgettable adventures! She is a shining example of how a teacher's passion, 
inventiveness, and tireless enthusiasm transforms a classroom into an environment of joy, 
confidence, and lifelong learning.

Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers recognize that students coming from Mrs. B’s TK program 
are not only academically prepared, (knowing how to hold a pencil, recognize letters, 
etc.), but they are also socially and emotionally advanced. They know how to ask for help, collaborate, 
follow directions - and write words and even full sentences.

One of Mrs. B’s favorite and most meaningful memories from her 24 years as a Transitional 
Kindergarten teacher “was working with a nonverbal student who entered my class shy, 
scared, and hesitant to engage. I was told that he might never speak during the school year, but 
I was determined to connect with him through play, patience, and consistency.

“For several months, we built trust slowly—reading together, playing with blocks, and spending 
time at the train table, which was his favorite. Then one day, while we were playing trains, 
he looked up at me and said, “I like trains.” I’ll never forget that moment. I was overwhelmed 
with emotion and immediately called his parents to share the news. We all cried tears of joy 
together.

“That small sentence represented so much more than words—it was a breakthrough in communication, 
confidence, and connection. Today, that young man is in high school, and I still 
keep in touch with his family. Moments like that remind me why I love teaching TK: every 
child has their own path and timeline, and with love, patience, and the right environment, 
incredible growth can happen.” For information about taking a tour, please contact St. Rita 
School at 626-355-6114 or garcia@st-ritaschool.org.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com