~Fifteen years experience teaching elementary school (2nd, 4th, and 5th) ~Certified in Texas (1st-8th self-contained and speech) and as a Master Reading Teacher (K-12) ~National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy: Reading and Language Arts

~Believes in researched based best practice including balanced literacy, differentiation, deductive and inductive teaching, and AVTK hands-on engagement ~Believes in integrating curriculum, and making real-world connections ~Believes in integrating art, music, drama, and technology across the core curricular subjects

~Texas Council for the Teachers of English Language Arts Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2006

~Masters in Reading, University of Houston Clear Lake ~Bachelor of Science in Speech, University of Texas ~Associates in Drama, Lon Morris College

~Maintains a website for teachers packed with free resources at www.effectiveteachingsolutions.com ~Follow on twitter @teachingfriends