I am a self-contained teacher, but we do switch classes for math and language arts learning stations. Even with our math classes being homogeneously grouped, there are a multitude of groups within groups! With our language arts/ learning station classes being heterogeneously grouped, I have students that run the spectrum from those just entering the U.S. (non-English speaking) to those with high-school level reading skills. What a challenge!
Position:
5th grade teacher
Needs:
We are a Title-One school with many of our students coming from single-parent homes, or many being reared by grandparents. We have the motel owners' kids along with the family of five living in a motel until Easter, when the rates go up! We've even had some living in the local campgrounds-even in tents. Our physical building is over 50 years old so we have no wireless technology (if you can call what we have technology!). In addition, with budget cuts, our computer/technology needs are many.
My Philosophy:
I believe all children can learn, we just have to find their particular learning style and TRY to meet their individual needs. We as educators must compete with TV, video games, and a technology savvy generation, which can be a challenge when our schools do not have current technology available. It sometimes feels that we must be entertainers to capture our kids' attention. I'll do anything (almost) to get them excited about learning!
Personal Information:
About Me:
I have been teaching for 25 years. The majority of my experience is in 4th and 5th grades, although I have taught 1st through 3rd also.
College and Degrees:
BA Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University...(Hokies)
Graduateclasses: Va Tech, The Citadel, Coastal Carolina University, Coker College
NationalBoard Certified Teacher
Activities:
School...when time allows I love to dig in the dirt and battle the weeds, play the piano (my dogs and cat love to listen), and read a non-school related book!
Favorite Books:
My favorite is Mary Poppins...I'm a baby boomer and my grandmother gave me the book. I read it BEFORE the movie!
(AlthoughI still have my Mary Poppins carpetbag and umbrella).
Favorite Quotes:
"All our dreams come true
if we have the
courage to pursue them."
Walt Disney
Interests:
Keeping up with my two boys in college...
Gardening,Classical music/piano, playing with my 2 dogs and cat, meeting for lunch with my teaching buddies...
Employment History:
My first year of teaching took place in "Downtown Appalachia" where my chalkboard was 3' x 5' and sat on a folding chair. It was such an eye-opening experience to teaching! I then taught 4 more years in rural Va. (my "Little House on the Prairie" school" which was heaven on earth. I had to leave there when I married and moved to sunny Myrtle Beach where I've taught for 20 more years.
Why Do I Teach?:
A high school English teacher pushed us to our limits and told us the work would put "hair on our chests". She instilled such a love of learning I wanted to attempt to do that to other students. If I'm a fraction of the teacher she was, I've been successful. Our community of teachers at my present school do so much more than a 7-3 job, and I really feel we're reaching the whole child and affecting their lives in school and out.