Before coming to Maryland, where I currently teach grades K-5, focusing mostly on 2nd and 4th, I was in North Carolina teaching ESL Language Arts primarily to grades 6-8. While working on my MS in ESL Education at the University of Tennessee, I did student teaching with grades K-8 in Sevierville, TN. I have also been invited to Busan, S. Korea, twice to conduct 2 week teacher training seminars on Content Based English Instruction for English language learners, and I am SIOP trained as well. In addition to my MS, I also have a degree in Spanish and Mass Communications.
I am very passionate about my job and my students. I spend hours at home planning lessons and creating materials to use in my classroom. Many of my materials were originally designed for use in the ESL classroom, however, they can easily be used or adapted for use in the mainstream classroom by students of every ability level.
My teaching style is very laid back. My students know that as long as they follow directions, we will have a great time in class!
I believe in catering to my students' multiple intelligences and providing an area where they are excited to come and learn.
In my ESOL class, I believe very highly in the value of reading and literacy, and work hard to impress it upon my students as well. As a result, we do many novel studies incorporating cross-curricular materials and concepts.
Summa Cum Laude, Master of Science
Teacher of the Month
M.S. in Foreign Language and ESL Education from University of Tennessee, 2008
B.A. in Journalism and Spanish from Carson-Newman College, 2006
My husband and I just moved to the DC Metro area in March of 2011 so that I could work with a school district in Maryland. We left North Carolina, where I had worked for North Carolina Schools for 3 years. I got my higher education and did my student teaching in East Tennessee We are natives of Knoxville, TN. We have no children, but do enjoy spending time with our niece and nephew when we can. We also enjoy spending time in the modern middle ages at SCA events. Catch up with me on my blog, The ESOL Odyssey. Find Tools for Teachers by Laurah Jurca on FaceBook.
Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth
EFL - ESL - ELD, English Language Arts, For All Subject Areas