I have been teaching for 16 years. I taught 1st grade for 4 years, a 1/2 combo for 1 year, and 2nd grade for the last 11 years.
I think that a good teacher must maintain a balance. A good teacher provides a lot of daily skill and drill spiral review type activities balanced with real life, hands on, creative activities that challenge students to use their minds. A good teacher must plan great activities and lessons that are tailored to the needs of his/her students. More than anything, a good teacher must see the best in all his/her students and work hard to bring out those qualities!
The awards come daily as the "light" comes on in my students' brains! I love to create my own supplemental curriculum and see how much it helps my students.
I have a bachelor's degree in liberal studies, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. I am credentialed by the state of California.
I am married and have three beautiful children who probably wish Mommy didn't spend so much time creating new curriculum!