JGOWANS

Hi! I'm so glad you're here! I'm an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience in elementary education. Throughout my career, I've taught upper elementary in all subject areas, and since 2020 I've been working with PreK and Kindergarten English Language Development (ELD) students. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Reading, and I have a passion for helping students become confident readers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners. Reading has always been at the heart of my teaching. I love helping students dive into great books, develop strong comprehension skills, and make meaningful connections through literature. Many of the resources you'll find in my store are designed to bring reading to life through engaging novel studies, discussion, writing, and hands-on learning experiences. I believe students learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. Whether it's a classroom debate, a collaborative project, a close reading activity, or a creative extension, my goal is to create lessons that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful conversations. Outside the classroom, I lead my school's Green Team and Sustainability Committee, where I enjoy helping students become thoughtful environmental stewards. When I'm not teaching or creating classroom resources, you'll usually find me reading, working on an arts and crafts project, or dreaming up new ways to make learning fun and engaging. Thank you for visiting Growing with Gowans! I hope my resources save you time, inspire your students, and help your learners grow with confidence.