From the moment Hallie Twombly stepped foot in Je-Neir Elementary as a fresh-faced student teacher, she felt at home. "I love this place!" she says. The school's slogan, “At Je-Neir, You’re Family,” resonated with Hallie from the beginning. She observed with Joey Baud, another kindergarten teacher featured in our Fall, 2023 issue. She just loved the experience, knowing she was in the right place.
Hallie grew up in Mahomet, near Champaign, and cheerfully references her old high school with a chipper “Go Bulldogs!” She notes the cultural similarities between her hometown and Momence – both small towns with a tight-knit, community vibe. Once she got to know the ladies at the local gas station by name, she felt a true sense of belonging.
Ms. Twombly, inspired by a special teacher, Mrs. Johnson, her third-grade teacher in Mahomet, who still works at the school as an administrator, was amazing. As Hallie reminisces, “I thought she hung the moon and the stars.” She loved going to school, enjoyed their lessons, and even went home to repeat them to her dolls, mimicking her teacher and foreshadowing her future career. Hallie still keeps in touch with Mrs. Johnson, who told her about an opening for a second-grade teacher there. But Hallie's heart was set on teaching kindergarten.
“Why kindergarten?” Hallie nods and responds: “They are in that perfect sweet spot where everything is new, and they are so eager and excited to learn.” She relishes teaching them to read and other foundational skills, knowing these form the essential base for future learning. “Nothing beats those moments when a child shouts, ‘I can read! I can read!’” she says.
Ms. Twombly believes the light dims in older students largely due to testing and grades, as school becomes less about fun, play, and hands-on creativity. While some kids adapt, many others find their relationship with school changing.
Her biggest challenge with this age group? “The emotional aspect,” she says. Kids often bring stress or sadness into class without the words to express their feelings. For a teacher, the class is like a "giant puzzle," and a single off-kilter piece can impact the whole. Quick thinking and adaptability are crucial. She empathizes with each of her 19 students and encourages parents to inform her at drop-off if their child is having a tough day, so she can handle them with extra care.
This holistic approach to teaching the whole child and engaging family and community is standard practice at public schools nowadays, as they take on varied roles in supporting students and families. JeNeir supports its teachers in managing all these additional responsibilities, whether advocating for siblings or parents, connecting them with services, or addressing other needs as they arise. Hallie admits she didn't expect these activities to be part of her job but is "pleasantly surprised" and happy to play this broader role.
Ms. Twombly emphasizes that teachers provide a "Bigger service than just teaching letters and numbers," and the school really is the heart of the community. With that comes the responsibility of taking on the struggles of the community. We wonder if she finds this overwhelming, but Hallie emphasizes her place in a larger group committed to keeping “Momence Strong.” She has been impressed by how people stay connected even after leaving the community.
The town's well-known "GladFest," celebrating the noble Gladiolus and all things community related, is an annual highlight Ms. Twombly and her students look forward to it. Just as the Gladioli will continue to bloom each Summer, the cycle of community and family will continue to shine in Momence and at Je-Neir Elementary. And Hallie Twombly is here for all of it.