I have 15+years of experience teaching in Kinder, 2nd, 5th and 6th grade. When teaching 6th grade we were departmentalized, and I was the Reading and Language Arts teacher. After moving to 5th grade, I found a passion for not only Reading and Language Arts, but Math, Science and Social Studies as well! I love teaching all the subjects, and my students become "my kids," for not only the current school year, but for life. :o) I love the journey I have made down to the younger students, and really enjoy primary and teaching students how to do school and instilling a love of learning!
I love to incorporate humor and laughter into my lessons. My students know I am a bit quirky, but overall firm/fair. As one student wrote in her letter to next year's class, "Mrs. Draz may get after you to complete your work, but it's only because she loves you and wants you to do well." Any time I can turn learning into a game, or trick the student into learning, I am in! I am a lifelong learner myself, continuing to improve myself and my teaching.
When teaching 5th grade, my class participated in the Pizza Hut Book-It program and in 2013, 2015 and 2016 we were in the top 100 in the nation and won a free pizza party. In 2014 we were also in the top 100, but won not only a pizza party, but also a visit from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author, Jeff Kinney! It was an amazing experience and one my students and I will never forget!
I have my master's degree in teaching, have added a reading certification to my license as well completed my Masters+60 (highest lane in my district) and hold an educational specialist degree and administrator's license.
I have middle schooler who I love to pieces, a very tolerant husband. :o) I love to run and workout, read, and drink copious amounts of coffee/water/wine.
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, Adult Education, Not Grade Specific
English Language Arts, Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Specialty, Math, Basic Operations, Fractions, Geometry, Graphing, Measurement, Numbers, Order of Operations, Other (Math), Science, Astronomy, Other (Science), Social Studies - History, Ancient History, U.S. History, Health, Math Test Prep, Other (ELA), Life Skills, For All Subject Areas, Literature, Classroom Management, Character Education, Study Skills, Library Skills, Writing, Reading Strategies, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Autumn, Mental Math, Halloween, Winter, Valentine's Day, Presidents' Day, Decimals, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Spring, Place Value, Earth Day, For All Subjects, Summer, Handwriting, Test Preparation, End of Year, Phonics, Classroom Community