Core Cognitions

I worked with a range of grade levels throughout my early years as an educator, and have gained experience working with a wide range of grade levels, particularly 4th through 11th grade. Currently, I am working as an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher.

My teaching is driven by 3 key beliefs: 1. Education should strive for holistic student growth. Academically capable students are unprepared for life after school. By teaching them to become active, informed citizens, we give children the tools they need to reach the highest levels of success. 2. Instruction should be skills-focused and mastery-driven. The optimal student experience includes multiple methods for learning a concept, and different way to demonstrate their understanding for assessment. This allows each student to engage with instruction the most meaningful, valuable way for him/her, and show the full capacity of their knowledge. 3. Student input is essential for engagement. When children feel that their voices are heard and their interests accounted for, classroom content is suddenly relevant and meaningful. By surveying students and addressing their concerns and interests, teachers can encourage students' intrinsic motivation.

I attended several different types of schools throughout my own education (Public, Private, Montessori, Catholic, etc.), which has given me a uniquely nuanced and informed perspective on instructional strategies. I graduated from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA with Bachelor's of Arts in English and Psychology. I also completed the Secondary Teacher Certification Program, and have obtained my certification to teach secondary English.