Fruchthendler Elementary School

Deborah first started her teaching career at a westside school, but when a position opened up at Fruchthendler, she jumped at it. It wasn’t just because she herself lives on the eastside, so the commute is much better than having to trek across town, but because that’s where Deborah went to school herself. It was also where her own children attended elementary school. 

Deborah loves that Fruchthendler still feels like a community school. 

“I like to say we play to have fun, but we work hard to get the job done,” Deborah said. “And I just love being here. I really like that we have a few teachers that have actually gone here. So, we’re very invested in this school, in this neighborhood.”

Ilana first came to Fruchthendler through an internship. Funny enough, she had started the internship at Doolen before moving over to the eastside school. But it worked out because, by the time she finished her internship, she was able to secure a full-time position on the staff. 

Unfortunately, that was also during the pandemic and while students were still learning remotely. Ilana said it was tricky to jump into the position and figure out how to connect with students online, but she worked through it. Luckily, the students came back to school shortly after that and Ilana has found her stride. 

“I absolutely love it,” Ilana said. “There’s nothing else that I really think that I want to do right now. I love working in elementary and I love the younger kids.”

Cassie is one of Fruchthendler Elementary School’s longest tenured teachers, coming to the eastside school in 2000. When she moved schools, she was initially teaching third grade, but a couple years after starting at Fruchthendler she moved over to kindergarten. And she has no plans on leaving this grade level. 

“It’s where my heart is because I love them so much,” Cassie said.
 
This year, her class has been reading The Wild Robot. It’s the first chapter book for the majority of her students, and Cassie thought the class may struggle with the challenge, but they’ve loved it. So, for the end of the year celebration, her class got to watch the movie.