"I don't think people have high enough expectations for the five and six year old children," Miss Nelson said. "It's a misconception that they're crazy in kindergarten. They're not. They can be very mature, if they are expected to be that way."

The bar is high in Miss Nelson's class, but she says the kids never disappoint her. "They know the expectations, they know the consequences. It's very matter of fact. You did this, now this happens."

While kindergarten is the first official grade in public school, most of the kids are already old pros in class. Most students have already finished at least one year of preschool–so they've got the basics down. "They don't like to be treated like babies," Nelson explains. "They like to be independent. They like to show what they can do."

Every week Miss Nelson assigns the students jobs. From leading show and tell to being the "line leader," the kids know their role and that keeps things running smoothly, even when Ms. Nelson is away. "When I'm out for whatever reason, it runs like clockwork. The children know the routine and they know whose job it is," she said.

"My first encounter with Ms. Nelson's class was when she wasn't here. They knew exactly what to do," said Ledia Karst, one of the kindergartner's parents. "It's amazing what a 5 year old can do when you empower them to do that."

Pauline says the way she's able to achieve such a feat with such young children, is by giving them a little space. "I really value independence. I encourage the children to make decisions, even if they're the wrong decision."

While Pauline doesn't let the kids go wild, she says allowing the kids a little room for personal responsibility now can lay a good foundation for the future.

"I encourage parents let them fail," she explains. "Don't remind them, don't pack their backpack for them. Let them take the consequence in kindergarten to be responsible, not to wait 'til middle school, high school or college to learn those skills."

Beyond life skills, Miss Nelson has also passed on her passion for Shakespeare. "I really like to start them young. Get them when they're little. They have no inhibitions about it. They just love it and they jump right in. They love it."

While most students are not taught Shakespeare until middle school, Pauline says Kindergarten is the perfect time to start. "Children of this age are learning vocabulary all the time. There's nothing new for them to come across words they don't understand."

Shakespeare has been so popular with her students and the rest of Belleview Elementary, that half the school takes part in the Shakespeare Club, a voluntary program after school. Currently, the older students are preparing for the club's annual play–which will be presented next week.

Watching Pauline Nelson in class or at the Shakespeare Club, you can see her passion for teaching. It's hard to believe that she actually didn't plan on going into this profession. She was actually a librarian in England and was encouraged to start teaching. "I think I was just guided to it. I just love my job. I couldn't do anything else."

Please join 9NEWS, CollegeInvest and Metropolitan State College in congratulating Pauline Nelson, the April 2007 9Teacher Who Cares.