When one kindergarten class arrives at West Ironton for their very first day of school next week, they will have something in common with the teacher.

It will be her very first day of school as well.

Tiffany Graham, 23, graduated from Marshall University in December 2002. After facing professors, finals and student teaching, she will now face her first group of kindergartners when school begins for West Ironton Wednesday.

For the 1998 graduate of Ironton High School, being a kindergarten teacher is a lifelong dream that is coming true.

"This is what I always wanted," she said. "I used to make my sister play school with me."

Her dream eventually led to her finishing a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an early childhood specialization. After working at Central Christian Church's day care, she landed a job teaching in the Ironton City School District and was even more excited to learn she would be teaching kindergarten.

"I love little kids," she said. "I love watching them grow and they're amazing to watch.

"I doubt I will be behind a desk much. They have so much energy."

When Graham walked into her classroom for the first time, she was excited about all of the decorating possibilities. However, the decorating has been considerable work. She has changed the room's layout three times already.

"I've been here from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.," she said. "I've eaten lunch and dinner here. But, it's well worth it. I get more excited

every day. I'm at the point where I can't sleep at night. I'm that excited."

The other teachers at West Ironton have been very helpful and have offered to loan her anything she may need, such as glue and books, Graham said. Her kindergarten teacher, Donna Hankins, is now a co-worker.

"I cried for my mom more than once," Graham said of her time in kindergarten. "It wasn't funny then, but it's funny now.

"I know the kids may be scared, but I hope to give them a comfortable, fun atmosphere. I know I'll probably have criers on the first day, and it's going to break my heart. I can't stand to see little kids cry, but I hope they will feel comfortable and safe and have a lot of fun this year."

Besides fun, Graham hopes that her students will learn just as much when they leave her class as the students leaving the other teachers' classes. Even though she is new, she said she is confident she will do a good job. She believes she is ready after four years of college, which included student teaching experience at Kenova Elementary in West Virginia.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous or scared, but I'm more excited than anything else," she said. "This is my dream. This is what I always wanted."

Some of her future plans include reading Jamie Lee Curtis' book "Today I Feel Silly" to the students. This story about a young girl's life examines the different emotions that people experience. She first discovered this book while doing a class project at Marshall, which included designing a poster relating to the story. It hangs on her classroom wall.

"One day she's silly; then, she's sad. It's OK to have all of (the emotions)," Graham said.

Finally becoming a kindergarten teacher has not been the only major change in Graham's life. She and her husband Doug married in March. Doug Graham is a third-year social studies teacher at South Point Middle School, and she said it helps to have a husband to whom she can relate.

"That's all we talk about," she said with a laugh. "They say best friends make the best marriage partners.

"I've had a lot of big adjustments, but they've all been good ones."

Doug has been very helpful in getting her new classroom ready and her "Granny" donated a pink armchair she can sit in while reading to the children. Her mother, Deanna Howard, has also helped in the family effort. Howard is a secretary at Whitwell Elementary.

"She's just as excited as I am," Graham said.