I am currently a fifth grade teacher at a small Catholic school, Saint Mary's Catholic Academy. I have taught second grade, technology, Spanish to junior high, religion to 3rd and 4th grade; 4/5 split, 4/5 departmentalized...I am the jack of all trades if you will. My passion though is to teach fifth grade, and thankfully I get to do it again this year!
I am a very active, hands-on teacher. My students work collaboratively in small groups and partners and are on our classroom and school computers as much as possible. We use simulations and dramatizations often as well. I teach writing using Writer's Workshop and my students work in literature circles similar to a CAFE/Daily 5 method for reading.
I was named Teacher of the Year at my school in 2009 and nominated for Harvest Homecoming Teacher of the Year.
I studied Elementary Education for one year at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I transferred home to continue my Elementary Ed degree at Indiana University Southeast. I graduated in 2007 and began working on my Graduate Degree in 2008. I have a Master's Degree and a Reading License.
I am a "teacher" at the local YMCA as well. I instruct spinning and BODYPUMP classes before and after school most days each week.