Two Teachers Who Turned Elementary School Into Adventure at Union Colony
Paper airplanes soar past alphabet charts. A tiny but mighty student debates whether clouds feel like cotton candy (because “they have to!”). Another builds a tower that defies both gravity and patience. Passion. Curiosity. Laughter. Union Colony Schools (UCS) elementary classrooms pulse with discovery and the sound of learning.
Two remarkable educators drive this daily magic. They transform our tuition-free school into a laboratory where five-year-olds crack open mysteries through counting safari animals and finding comfort in stories about separation anxiety. Hannah Trotter matches her students' big energy step for step while Toni Varney builds emotional foundations brick by careful brick with her kindergarteners. Together they prove early education transcends ABCs. It launches lives.
Meet Hannah Trotter
What's your favorite children's book to read aloud?
One of my favorite books to read aloud is The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi. It's a great story about not giving up and believing you'll get better with practice. My students really connect with it and love talking about things they're still learning. It always leads to a fun and encouraging conversation!
If your classroom had a theme song, what would it be?
It would be You've Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story. I've never had a class that cares for each other as much as this one. They are truly best friends. This song perfectly represents the kindness, support, and friendship they show to each other every day.
If you could take your class on a field trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
We are currently learning about animals and their habitats, and my students have been loving this unit! If I could take them on a field trip anywhere, I would choose the zoo. Seeing the animals up close would deepen their understanding of habitats and how different animals live. I believe this experience would foster their love for animals and make their learning even more meaningful!
Meet Toni Varney
Was there a moment when you realized you were meant to teach Kindergarten?
During my student teaching experience at Union Colony, I realized that I had a huge impact on the kiddos!
Being a positive, encouraging, and kind adult that they get to see everyday really helps them grow both academically and personally! Being able to build relationships with each student during my student teaching and seeing those kids grow really helped me realize that teaching Kindergarten was what I was meant to do.
What's your favorite children's book to read aloud?
"The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn. I love reading this book during the first week of school! This story really helps students realize they are not alone in feeling anxious or scared when it comes to going to school for the first time, because they see the main character going through the same thing.
After reading, we talk about how it's ok to feel this way and what we can do to help us feel better. After having the discussion and reading the book, students will say how they do miss their families at home, but they know they will be ok because they know that their families love them and they will get to see them later. After reading this, students also start to support other kids they might see having a hard time adjusting to school by including them in activities or relating to their feelings!
If your classroom had a theme song, what would it be?
“Upside Down” by Jack Johnson. I would pick this as my classroom theme song because the song is all about embracing curiosity and persevering no matter what! The song is also radiating positivity. Curiosity, perseverance, and positivity are all important parts of my classroom!
The Union Colony Difference
These dedicated teachers exemplify why early education matters. Through personalized attention in small groups, creative teaching methods, and genuine care for each child's emotional well-being, Hannah and Toni create classrooms where learning feels like adventure. Students do way more than just memorize letters and numbers. They find out how knowledge connects to their world. Whether counting imaginary animals on a Tanzanian safari or finding comfort in a story about school anxiety, this is what elementary school looks like at UCS.
Our students learn that education extends past classroom walls. As UCS’s youngest scholars move forward, they carry academic foundations and the confidence to explore, question, and discover. That's the true gift of exceptional kindergarten teaching.
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About Union Colony Schools
Union Colony Schools’ innovative approach provides a tuition-free education rich in arts, music, technology and athletics to students in the greater Greeley, Colorado area. With two convenient campuses serving K-5 and 6-12, our dedicated teachers educate for a life of leadership and academic success. Join our close-knit, thriving K-12 schools, where the community is the heart of our mission, and everyone knows your name. We're enrolling.
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