Gorney's Giving Tree

I have been an elementary school teacher for Rim of the World Unified School District since 2006. I have had the opportunity to teach a diverse population and a wide age-range of students from Kindergarten through 5th grade. I have a Master's Degree in school Counseling and Administration. I have served as a leader on many committees including Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support team, student council, English Language Development Coordinator, Leader of small group counseling for anger management and social skills groups, etc.

I believe in the theory of multiple intelligences and try to create lessons that will stimulate all styles of learning. I believe that all students can learn. I believe it is important to establish trusting relationships with parents and students for maximum learning to take place. My classroom has a tiered management system including individual, group, and class accountability through the use of a token economy. My students contribute to our classroom economy through jobs and earn and lose money for meeting/not meeting expectations both academically and behaviorally. I feel it is important to teach life skills, social skills, and problem solving along with the standards to create well-rounded citizens.

I am a "TK" ( Teacher's Kid) and grew up surrounded by the world of education. I fell in love with teaching at an early age and realized it was my calling in life. I am a graduate of the University of Redlands ( undergrad and Masters) and a proud graduate of Rim of the World High school. I enjoyed growing up on a small mountain in southern California so much that I decided to return to the mountain after graduating form college to begin my teaching career. I feel very lucky to be surrounded with such a beautiful environment that also allows for unique learning opportunities for our students.

I live in Lake Arrowhead, Ca with my wonderful husband, Adam. I enjoy playing softball, running, going to the lake, snowboarding, and traveling with my husband on his work trips (he is a sports writer) We currently do not have any children of our own but plan on changing that very soon. In the meantime we have 2 cats ( Oliver and Desmond) that we treat like children.... yes..... i guess I am a cat lady ;)