Teacher Stuff

Hi! My name is Emily, and I have been an elementary school teacher since 1999. I am currently a library/STREAM teacher in Colorado, and I've also been a technology integration specialist for 7 years, and I've taught 1st grade, kindergarten, Reading Recovery, and ELL. I am a google certified educator level 1 and 2, a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator, a common sense media certified educator and mentor, symbaloo certified, and I have done freelance writing for Schmoop, Common Sense Media, and We Are Teachers. I am the author of the blog teacherstuff4u.blogspot.com

Literacy, differentiation and technology are my passions in education. I love the way technology differentiates for EVERY learner and allows for learning in a way that was never dreamed possible before. A year or two after my son was born, I left the classroom and started teaching technology to students and teachers. These days, my blog is full of practical ways to integrate technology into the classroom, with a lot of integration from my first loves–literacy and differentiation! I am now back in the classroom with a greater knowledge of how to use technology to stay organized and help students succeed. I believe in the Constructivist Learning Theory, inquiry, the power of project based-learning, and that students need to create. So if you ask me what app you should use in your classroom, my response is that it's not so much about the tool you use, but how you use it. Whether in the classroom or the tech lab, the goal is the same–getting kids to use higher order thinking skills. We want them to create with technology!

- Teacher of the year for Northern, CO 2002 - Volunteer of the Year award 2003 - Nominated for the DCSD Apple Award from 2005 - 2015 - Won the DCSD Apple Award in 2013 and 2015 - Presenter at multiple conferences throughout Colorado and professional development classes

I have a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in elementary education and I am certified in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education K-12. I have been trained in Reading Recovery, and I have a Master’s Degree in Creative Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. I began my doctorate focusing on literacy in the primary grades, but I only finished a year of my Ed.D before my sweet little boy was born.

I have been married to an amazing man since 2005, and my beautiful family became complete when we had our miracle baby! He was diagnosed with autism when he was about 3 years old. Everyday he amazes me, touches my heart, makes me smile, and teaches me new things. He is absolutely our most precious gift!