Simply Structured

I am in my twelfth year of teaching this year. I started out in special education where I taught elementary full inclusion in Wisconsin for 9 years, switched to a self-contained middle school classroom when I moved to Florida, switched to self-contained elementary and now am switching to general education with my favorite grade - 5th!

I am a highly structured and organized teacher, probably due to my background in special education (not my OCD tendencies, really). I work hard to personalize my learning and ensure that no matter ability level, students are given high (attainable) expectations. Structure does not mean there is not student driven learning, though! I find that the more clear and concise my rules and routines have become over the years, the more easily the learning can shift to student driven. We do a lot of differentiation in my room and a lot of stations and movement.

Every day that I get to walk in the room and see my students' faces is a shining moment!

I moved to Wisconsin from Minnesota in 5th grade. I graduated from a small Christian high school and went on to a small liberal arts college in Milwaukee, WI where I got a BA in psychology. I then discovered that there is not much to do with a BA in psychology and was working as an educational assistant in a special education classroom and fell in love with teaching. I went on the get my special education certification through a liberal arts college in Kenosha, WI, where I also got my master's degree in Education. Upon moving to FL I became certified in General and Special Education and get to teach in the best district in FL - Sarasota.

I have a wonderful husband and three beautiful children ages 10, 8, and 4. I love camping and hiking and if you ever can't find me I am either at the beach, reading a book, or both!