Kindergarten teacher Regina Gerehan recounts starting in Centennial SD and her focus on early literacy

Regina Gerehan, a kindergarten teacher at McDonald Elementary, told the Centennial SD board that she began in the district as a student teacher in 2004 and has since devoted her career to early literacy.

"Everyone calls me Gina," Gerehan said at the start of her remarks, identifying herself and her role. She said she "started in Centennial as a student teacher back in 2004, and I immediately fell in love with the district and the community." Gerehan described that early connection as the reason she chose to stay and build her career in the district.

Gerehan recounted that as a child she "struggled with learning to read," and that a first-grade teacher who "believed in me" inspired her to become a teacher. She said that experience shapes how she approaches students who are behind in reading today.

In describing her classroom practice, Gerehan said reading time in the morning is her favorite part of the day. She told the board she uses "silly songs" and hand motions to teach phonics and help children remember letter sounds, adding that making learning fun is a deliberate instructional choice.

Gerehan highlighted the emotional payoff of early literacy work: seeing a child finish their first decodable reader and "jumping up and down in joy." She said those moments confirm her commitment to the profession.

She closed by saying what she hopes students take away from her classroom: that they are loved, that she believes in them and that "there is nothing that they can't do." The remarks in the transcript are a personal account of her background, instructional approach and goals for students; the transcript does not record any formal action tied to her statement.