Welcome to First Grade! I am excited to welcome another wonderful group of first-graders!
I have 13 years of experience in Teaching. I have my Gifted Endorsement. I grew up in Flagstaff Arizona and graduated from Northern Arizona University (NAU), with a BS in Elementary Education. I’m passionate about creating a dynamic and inclusive classroom environment where all students can learn. I regularly use Kagan strategies to support engagement and collaboration among students. I also incorporate classroom economy systems to help all learners develop responsibility, motivation, and real-world financial literacy skills.
I AM MARRIED AND HAVE TWO WONDERFUL KIDS. I ALSO HAVE THREE DOGS!
I AM ALWAYS LEARNING, AND LOVE TO BRING NEW STRATEGIES EACH YEAR TO HELP STUDENTS. I PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING OFTEN TO ENHANCE MY SKILLS IN THE CLASSROOM. I AM EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILD THIS YEAR. WORKING TOGETHER WILL BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY PLAN TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILD. OUR FIRST-GRADE TEAM OF TEACHERS PLAN AND IMPLEMENT THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING STUDENTS. I WILL ALSO BE REACHING OUT FOR HELP FROM PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN ORDER TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH THE REAL WORLD AND OUR CONCEPTS AND LEARNING. PLEASE LOOK FOR MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER SENT THROUGH YOUR EMAIL. THIS WILL HAVE THE UPDATES IN THE CLASSROOM AS WELL AS WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD AT HOME.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR WILL PROVE TO BE EXCITING AND CHALLENGING FOR ALL STUDENTS. I WILL FOCUS ON CREATING AN UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY. STUDENTS WILL ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES INCLUDING COOPERATIVE HANDS-ON LEARNING, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND INDIVIDUALIZED DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION. I USE KAGAN STRATEGIES TO HELP ENSURE ENGAGEMENT AND ALLOW EVERYONE A CHANCE TO SHARE WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IN MY CLASSROOM IS TO DO EVERYTHING WITH KINDNESS. WE FOCUS ON KINDNESS AND HAVING A GROWTH MINDSET AS WE NAVIGATE THROUGH OUR TIME IN FIRST GRADE.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT GETTING STARTED AND LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ALL SOON!
WE ARE TOROS! SOMOS TOROS!