I have worked in multiple capacities in the elementary and middle school classroom for over twenty years. I have taught inclusion classes, co-taught classes, self-contained elementary general education classes in grades 2-4, and worked as a reading and writing interventionist in middle school for grades 6-8. Currently I teach reading, writing, and grammar to fourth graders in a departmentalized setting.
I believe students learn best when they are excited, engaged, and active. I create manipulative literacy and vocabulary activities to accompany the high-interest texts I share with my students. I believe activities should connect with all other aspects of the curriculum so that our work is relevant. In my class, we play games, move, and love literacy. Come join in the fun!
In 2014 I represented my division as the Teacher of the Year. In 2015, I represented Virginia's Region III as Teacher of the Year. I was selected to attend ECET2 in Seattle in 2015, and I participated in the Inaugural Academy for Envisioning Tomorrow's Schools with VDOE, Virginia Tech, and Moseley Architects in 2016. I first became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2005, and I just renewed my certification in 2015.
I have my BA in English and Elementary Education from the College of William and Mary--I graduated in 1995. I received my M.Ed. in Reading from the University of Virginia in 2008. I am now a certified reading specialist.
I am happily married, have four kids, and love spending time outdoors. I also blog at https://meaningfulconnections.me.
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Homeschool, Staff, Not Grade Specific
English Language Arts, Balanced Literacy, Creative Writing, Writing-Expository, Reading, Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, Specialty, Math, Basic Operations, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement, Numbers, Other (Math), Science, Earth Sciences, Other (Science), Social Studies - History, U.S. History, Arts & Music, Drama, EFL - ESL - ELD, Other (Specialty), ELA Test Prep, Math Test Prep, Other (ELA), Literature, Classroom Management, Character Education, Word Problems, General Science, Short Stories, Writing, Reading Strategies, Writing-Essays, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Poetry, Autumn, Halloween, Winter, Martin Luther King Day, Decimals, Black History Month, Earth Day, For All Subjects, Informational Text, End of Year, Phonics, Women's History Month, Classroom Community, Social Emotional Learning