Where are they now? Tools Alumni Spotlight: Catching up with twins

New middle schoolers and 11-year-old twins Sofi and Isak, along with their mom, Sara, sat down with the twins’ former preschool teacher, Nancy O’Connell, six years after leaving her Tools classroom for (Tools) kindergarten to talk about their memories from that time and share what they’re up to now that they’ve finished elementary school.

The twins, who still attend school with a handful of their former preschool classmates, enjoy many of the same activities other 6th graders do—playing in a recreational basketball league, making crafts, playing video games, and reading (Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson spin-off series are favorites). Sofi plays percussion and Isak trombone. They also enjoy spending time with animals, especially their dog, a mini Australian shepherd, and their two cats. Isak and Sofi have three chickens, too!

Perhaps unlike other kids their age, these 6th graders can still readily remember the names of nearly all of their preschool classmates and teachers. They have fond memories of playing with friends, at centers throughout the classroom and outside on the playground. Sofi remembers choosing her clothespin clip, the same color as the center she would play at that day, and learning to write her name. Both siblings remember having lots of opportunities to play and interact with everyone in their class.

Mom Sara remembers how happy the children were at drop-off every morning and pick-up every afternoon and how helpful it was to get family-friendly information about how learning looked at school so that she could support her children at home using the same language and strategies.

Looking back, Sofi and Isak think that preschool was important. It helped prepare them for kindergarten and elementary school, gave them opportunities to meet new friends, and got them familiar with the routines of school. When they reflect on some of the rules they can remember from their preschool days, they agree that ‘being kind to everyone’ is one that you can never outgrow!

When their former teacher asks them about their thoughts on mistake-making in learning, Sofi is emphatic, “Mistake-making is definitely an important step in learning!” she affirms. Why? “Because then you know what NOT to do the next time!”

Sofi and Isak have always liked school. They especially enjoy science and history and both look forward to middle school—except for one thing. “In middle school, we don’t have recess,” Isak reports forlornly. Nancy is interested to hear more. “Why do you think recess is important, Isak?” He doesn’t hesitate. “Because it’s fun!” It’s something that’s important to Sofi, too. She takes a second to collect her thoughts. “Because you get to be outside,” she says wistfully, “And it’s kind of like taking a break and resetting your brain and…actually seeing and feeling natural life.”

When asked about their plans for the future, Isak and Sofi have a few ideas. Sofi wants the kind of job that doesn’t feel like a job because it’s something she enjoys so much—like being an artist or studying medical plants. She’s also really into cooking and baking right now, so maybe she’ll explore that. Isak is thinking about animals, maybe something with cats. A scientist? A veterinarian? With their many interests and love of learning, these two are sure to have plenty of opportunities ahead.

Interested to hear from other Tools alums? We will be posting more interviews in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

‍