11 years teaching 3rd grade (the best grade level in the world), then several years in a small, bilingual charter school, teaching the English component to grades K-5. Following that, I picked up and gentled an unruly 5th grade class at a K-5 public school and then 3 years in 1st Grade -- during 2 of which I taught the Spanish component for a bilingual program in Las Vegas. Never wanted to teach Kinder, but a few years ago I found myself in that position and found out I LOVE working with these bright little sponges (at least after the first 6 weeks)! It amazes me how much they grow and change throughout the school year. In no other grade level does one witness such a tremendous transformation in the course of a few short months!
I'm a kind and loving teacher who feels it's incredibly important for students to learn independence and self-confidence. Our class motto is "We can do hard things." and I spend the year helping students recognize their ability to accomplish "hard things." Given the choice, I'd teach strictly via thematic units, like I did in the "old days", with project based learning.
2006 Teacher of the Year @ Eagles Peak Dual Language Charter School
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My hubby and I have been married more than a decade and live with our Morky (Maltese/Yorkie mix), Eli. In my free time, I enjoy medieval camping with the SCA, cooking, genealogical research, family reunions and creating stories, songs, games, poems, etc. to help provide my students with additional skill practice and enjoyable learning experiences!
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
English Language Arts, Balanced Literacy, Reading, Specialty, Math, Arithmetic, Geometry, Numbers, Science, World Language, Spanish, EFL - ESL - ELD, Health, Literature, Character Education, General Science, Holidays/Seasonal, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Winter, Early Intervention, Phonics