Think Less in Third

I have been teaching in the District of Columbia since graduating college in 2011. I first began my teaching career as a first grade teacher. After a year I was asked to teach third grade at a different campus. Boy what a transition! Here it is 2016 and I am still teaching third graders. The campus I work at was recently accredited as an International School.

I think of myself as the coach of an awesome team and my scholars are the players. I believe in order for scholars to take accountability in their learning I have to give them "plays" that allow them to be successful. I try to allow my classroom to be student-led. I ask questions that allow them to think at a higher-level.

I have won staff member of the month a few times throughout my teaching career.

I knew at a very young age I wanted to work with children. College was not an option in my household growing up and I knew immediately I wanted to major in elementary education. I studied hard and read a lot. During my senior year when it was time for me to take the PRAXIS exam I knew I was ready, I just knew I would pass the first time. When I got my scores back I was DEVASTATED! I had missed the passing score by two points. I had a passion for educating others so I knew I had to keep trying. When it was time to take it again, I was a little apprehensive. I had missed a few of the questions. I knew I didn't do my best. Six weeks later I had gotten a notification in my e-mail stating that my score was available. As I opened the e-mall and was scrolling down to reveal my score, it felt I had swallowed a golf-ball sized pill. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I screamed so loud my mom thought something had happened to me. I had met the state requirements. Lots of tears of happiness happened that day. Upon passing the PRAXIS I was now able to begin student teaching.That September I was placed in an urban school in a town that was not too far from where I lived. It was an inclusion class with twelve scholars. There was the general education teacher, the special education teacher, and then there was me. The students were able to have a lot of small group instruction. When December came and my student teaching was over I was sad. I had seen so much growth with my scholars I wanted to stay. I reached out to my student advisor and asked if it was possible to continue my student teaching at the school where I was currently at. Thankfully he said yes! I was able to continue growing with and for my scholars. By February I was running the classroom with little assistance from the general and special education teachers. Though there were some bumps in the road, I would not trade what I do. I love it!

Fun Facts About Thinking in Third Name: Taylor Birthday: August 7th Age: 28 Originally from: The Jersey Shore College: Kean University Hobbies: Shopping!