Model Teachers

Grade: 4th Grade
School: Yates Elementary
Years Taught: 17

What do you love most about teaching?
I love that each child is unique and how to best teach them is a puzzle that I want to solve. I love to get to know every student as an individual and find out their strengths, their struggles, and their passions. I have worked for many years with English Learners, students with special needs, struggling students, gifted students, etc. I have found in all my years and with all those labels repeated, I have never had 2 identical children with identical needs or learning styles. I love figuring out what works for each child and for each class.

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
My classroom is organized. The kids know routines and expectations and, for the most part, stay engaged whether I am with them directly or working with others. I am passionate about integrating the arts and other hands-on experiences as often as possible and giving students independence and ownership. We also love to joke and have fun in my room! It’s all about expectations, engagement, and balance.

Grade: 4th Grade
School: B.C. Charles Elementary
Years Taught: 15

What do you love most about teaching?
I love being able to make a positive impact on my students. Not just academically but emotionally as well. I love teaching tiny humans to be good humans.

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
Controlled chaos, some days are less controlled than others but I am trying to implement the productive struggle in math so there is certainly some chaos but it is so rewarding seeing my students make discoveries and breakthroughs for themselves.