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Mr. Richard Garlish
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Powell Middle School
Hometown:
Powell
Class Information:
Room Number: 212
Class Description:
I have 47 students enrolled in a school-wideTitle 1 Reading Program. Our classes feature small groups for intensive level tiered interventions. We use software programs including Read Naturally and Tune Into Reading.
Position:
teacher
Needs:
Our district is upgrading our computers to Windows 2007, but I feel that this will not be a very effective update because our computers were installed in 2002. They have had a lot of use and have basically outlived their usefulness.
My Philosophy:
I like to offer a broad base curriculum for students that is individualized according to learning styles. Obviously, the computer is a strong visual aide that supports the visual learner. Since research says that 90% of people are visual learners, I think that it only makes good sense to incorporate technology into the classroom. Additionally we also have such software programs as Bookette Skillwriter, Discovery education, and visual thesaurus. My goal is to take full advantage of the programs that we have, but an update in technology is necessary.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I am a Title 1/ Reading Instructional Facilitator at Powell Middle School. This is my 37th year as a teacher and educational leader and I am most proud of being a lifelong learner. Wyoming has afforded me the opportunity to further my professional offerings because as a facilitator/ Title 1 Literacy coach I have had numerous opportunities for training. Basically, I attend something every month ranging from Formative Assessment to IRA Conventions to Solution Tree Professional Learning Communities Seminars
College and Degrees:
B.S University of Montana Western M.S University of Montana Western AdministrativeEndoresement University of Montana K-12 Reading Endorsement University of Wyoming
Activities:
Golf, sports cars, writing I am now retired as a coach but I coached and was an athletic director for 35 years
Favorite Books:
Expository Reading- Any type of strategic reading based instruction texts.Favorite Authors- Harvey, Goudvis, Tovani, Presley.
Favorite Quotes:
What you give up is forever yours; What you keep is forever lost. Keep your Face to the sunshine and you cannot see your shadow.
Interests:
Family, sports, reading/writing
Employment History:
29 years as a teacher, athletic director, coach, and 21st Century Learning Coordinator- Butte Montana 8 years as a Title 1 teacher, Literacy coach, and Instructional Facilitator in Powell Wyoming.
Why Do I Teach?:
I teach because it was what I was born to do. I knew in the 8th grade that I wanted to be a teacher and started preparing for it in high school by volunteering to give pre-school kids readiness tests. In my opinion,It is the most rewarding profession and fits my aptitude and skills to a "T". It is particularly rewarding to work with kids who really need the boost. If just one kid comes back and tells you that you made a difference, it is worth its weight in gold. Fortunately, for me,some kids have shared the appreciation of their successes with me. I also think that my teaching skills spilled over into my parenting role or maybe it is actually vice-versa. En Loco Parentis- Acting like a parent, pretty much sums up my committment to kids.