Jennalee Johnson

As I push open the classroom door and slide in a heavy black garbage bag, I’ m spotted immediately.

“ She’ s here! Jennalee saw Kaelyb!” Lilah calls from across the room.

Noah leaves the block area to grab hold of the bag and pull it across the floor to the art table.“ Miles, help!” he says.“ This is heavy.”

The classroom door clicks shut, and the 3- and 4-year-olds hoist the bag onto the table.

“ I did see Kaelyb this weekend,” I say, referring to my partner in this project,“ and I picked up this trash!”

Carefully, I pour the trash( which has been sanitized) into the center of the table. The children begin pulling items out. I see Miles’ s hand dart for a metal flower. Amara slowly slides a plastic bowl out of the pile.

“ What is this thing?” Forrest asks as he picks up a pipe. I can’ t help but think that these discards are quickly becoming treasures in our classroom.

Summer 2026 Educating Young Children 21