I have over 33 years of teaching experience in Elementary grades, Special Education and ESL. I have 4 years experience as an Education Consultant and have developed on-line courses in Speaking, Reading and Writing for Elementary Students studying English. 2008-2011Tutor Training Manager and Education Specialist for Talkbean Inc., an intensive on-line ESL Teaching Company, Seoul, South Korea 2007-2009 ETS- TOEFLiBT Speaking Rater 2007-2008 Education Consultant for Eastern Stream Center on Resources and Training 1998-2007 ESL Resource Teacher at Mountain View Elementary School 1992-1997 Adult ESL, GED Instructor for Adult Continuing Education for Prince George County, Virginia. 1991- 1992 ESL Adult Instructor for Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, Massachusetts. Fourth Grade teacher, Lura White Elementary School, Shirley, Mass. 1987-1990 English as A Second Language Teacher, Seoul, South Korea 1985-1987 Pre-Kindergarten teacher St. James School, Hopewell, Virginia 1983-1985 Pre-Kindergarten teacher Bollingbrook School, Petersburg, Virginia 1981-1982 Special Ed (K-5) teacher Shafter Elementary School, Honolulu, Hawaii 1980-1981 K-7 Reading Teacher, ASSETS School. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 1978-1979 High School Special Ed Teacher, Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12. New Oxford, Pennsylvania 1973-1974 Third Grade Teacher, Woodlawn Elementary School, Hopewell, Virginia 1971-1972 Special Ed teacher for pre K- 2nd grade a program under the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Clinton, Massachusetts 1970-1971 Special Ed teacher for Avard Learning Center, New York
I made a promise that wherever my journey took me ( which turned out to be all over the world),I would try to find out each student’s story and never give up on finding a way to inspire and motivate him or her to reach their highest academic potential. I would find a way to make a connection with every child. I envisioned a classroom that was safe for students to take risks, where there was mutual respect between students and the teacher. It would be a place where students celebrated each other’s successes and helped each other achieve. It would feel warm. All that entered would feel welcome, and only kind words would be spoken. Cultural differences would be embraced and acknowledged and trying your best would be rewarded. I would always have the highest expectations and I’d continue to learn the most innovative instructional strategies and techniques. I, too, would be a student and grow in my profession and encourage others to join me on my journey. That vision has been my reality in every place that I have taught. I embrace every child and my students are kind and respectful not only to me but to each other. I lead by example and my words are positive and kind. I deliver instruction with creativity, integrity and passion. My classroom is alive and I incorporate the SIOP model (Sheltered Instruction Operational Protocol) which is a research based model for teaching English Language Learners. There is communication and partnership with parents. Everyone, not just students, is welcome to observe and contribute. Every student succeeds and everyone shares in the celebration.
2006 Alaska State Teacher of the Year Certificate of Appreciation for participation in setting cut-off scores for the new state English Language Proficiency Test Certificate of Appreciation for Participation in the Mountain West Consortium for participation in the Content Review Committee and the Item Writer Workshop Nominated for BP Teacher of Excellence Certificate of Appreciation for service to the State of Alaska fore setting passing scores for the Benchmark Examinations
University of Alaska Anchorage-Summer 1998-May 2005- post graduate classes in English as a Second language, Computer Technology, Reading and Writing Alaska Pacific University- Spring and Summer 1998- Multicultural and ESL Classes Virginia State University- 1983-1997- Courses in Adult education and Early Childhood education leading to Endorsements of Virginia Teacher Certification Fitchburg State University- 1970-1973 Master of Education: Special Education Kansas State University- 1968-1970- B.S. Degree in Elementary Education
2008-2011-Talkbean- Deveolped the on-line curriculum for their intensive speaking and reading and writing courses offered to elemenary- middle school aged Korean students at the high beginner to upper intermediate levels of English Language Proficiency.
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, Homeschool, Staff
English Language Arts, Balanced Literacy, Reading, Vocabulary, Specialty, Math, Basic Operations, Numbers, Science, Social Studies - History, Elections - Voting, EFL - ESL - ELD, Geography, Writing, Oral Communication, Reading Strategies, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Poetry, Autumn, Halloween, Winter, The New Year, Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Black History Month, St. Patrick's Day, Spring, Earth Day, Summer, Informational Text, Phonics