Amber Thomas

I have taught fourth grade for 9 years in public school and third grade in a charter school for 3 years. Prior to my full time teaching career I was a paraprofessional for a teacher of the deaf for grades 1 and 2 for a year, and a preschool teacher for 2 years.

I am pragmatic so I can meet the needs of my students. I teach my fourth graders about working in groups so they can learn social skills as well as academics. I enjoy the balanced literacy reading and writing program. Some experts who have influenced me are John Collins and Lucy Caulkins. In math I use a combination of note taking and math games to promote understanding of vocabulary and principles as well as practice for applying skills. My district has also recently adopted the Math In Focus (Singapore Math) program. In science and social studies I teach research skills to enhance students' writing as well as reading to learn new information since.

I was awarded grant money that funded the purchase of science materials for 6 classrooms at my school in October of 2012.

Bradford College: BA in Psychology, minor in Education; Lesley University: MA in Education

I have served on district-wide literacy and science curriculum committees for several years. I have served on school-wide literacy team for several years. I also served as the Second Step (emotional curriculum) school-wide lead teacher.