How important are your children's earliest educators in predicting their success? A New York Times article ("The Case for $320,000 Kindergarten Teachers") last week argues that kindergarten teachers matter– - a lot. The piece details the results of a recent study, in which a group of children was tested in kindergarten and then tracked into adulthood. Those who had scored the highest on evaluations given at the end of the kindergarten year were more likely to attend college, less likely to become single parents, and, on average, earned higher salaries.

More compelling was not that children who tested well became more successful adults, but that these higher results were clustered within certain classrooms. Children were randomly assigned to kindergarten classes, yet some classes seemed to perform far better overall than others – better, according to the article, than could be explained away as coincidence. Eliminating other possible variables, evidence in the study pointed to the fact that teachers were the deciding factor in the success of the children.

But if we are to look more closely at the effectiveness of our teachers, are students' standardized test scores the best methods of evaluation? The study suggested that the earlier tests (ones that NYC students don't routinely receive) were perhaps more significant than those standardized tests administered in later school years. (That's interesting to note, especially considering the hoopla that surrounded the release last week of this year's disappointing test results on standardized exams.) And that the fundamental skills measured by the earlier tests: "patience, discipline, manners, perseverance, " may be the qualities that really matter in the long run.

Those of us who have had an exceptional teacher pass through our lives– either as students ourselves or via our children– don't need a scientific study to prove the importance of these role models, and know that their value may be impossible to quantify. Perhaps these teachers were unusually charismatic or creative, or just had a knack for understanding, or getting through to their students. Whatever the case, maybe it's time to look more closely at our children's first teachers – and give them their due.

Do you remember your kindergarten teacher? Have  you or your children had a teacher who really made a difference? What made him or her exceptional? And how can we help ensure that talented people continue to choose to become classroom teachers?