The History Addict

I LOVE working with the "big kids". I have been designing units for several years - even before discovering TpT. My come-from is to offer you everything you need to teach it today. Most my products require little to no prep and can be used as a stand alone or as a supplement to what you already have in your classroom. I am an advocate for both GATE and Special Education Reform. I conduct staff development in the importance and schoolwide application of RTI. I have designed all my TpT materials the same way I design my classroom Lesson Plans ~ with a diverse population in mind. My goal is to always ensure that both your GATE students and your Resource kids (and everyone in between) get the most out of the lesson with minimal prep or modification needed on your part.

I utilize a balanced approach of teaching styles to meet the needs of my students’ learning styles. I believe each teaching style has its place in the classroom depending on the particular student group. I find high-achieving self motivated students thrive in a classroom environment where the teacher takes the role of facilitator. These students enjoy the opportunity to explore new concepts independently or with small groups in an atmosphere of discovery, inquiry, and student as teacher approach. Yet, while this style may work well for some, it may not support students who require more structure and opportunity for practice. Many groups of learners will better benefit from a personal-model approach where expectations are clearly demonstrated and direct instruction with opportunity for highly-structured practice is offered. I believe it is the responsibility of the teacher to adjust to the needs of the students rather than expecting the students to adjust to the style of the teacher. The ability to be flexible and use a wide variety of teaching approaches within a classroom yields the highest academic and personal achievement for the all the students.

2012 – Received highly competitive Southern California Teacher Scholarship to attend Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute.

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY - PENNSYLVANIA Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in Children's Literature, 2014 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH – LONG BEACH Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2002 California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, 2003

I am also a wife and mother of 2 Amazing Boys. Both children are twice-exceptional (gifted-learning disabled). My experience in raising two boys with learning disabilities and behavioral needs had enabled me see the incredible value in differentiating instruction to meet the needs of ALL learners and what a difference one person can make in not just the lives of students, but also the families who know them best.