Hello! It's a pleasure to teach some of the wonderful at James W. Smith this year! I have taught third grade for three years in Wake County, but this is my first year in Craven County and first year in fifth grade. I'm excited about the new opportunities this change will bring.
I live in New Bern and have a strange cat named Belle. My fiance, Andrew, is the band director at West Craven High School. Currently we are both working with the marching band after school and on weekends. Come see me at any of the WCHS football games! I'll be with the band. Most of my Saturdays until November will be spent going to marching band competitions around the state, but when I have free time I enjoy playing board games and pokemon (on my D.S. or using Go on my phone), learning to cook new things, and hanging out with my family.
I graduated from Appalachian State in 2013 with a degree in Elementary Education. At school I learned a lot about writing lesson plans, tests, and projects. I also learned some teaching techniques and specific content pedagogy. However, I have spent my time since college continuing to learn and grow as an educator. I continually reflect on my teaching practices in order to improve my quality of teaching.
Something I am thrilled to start this year is team teaching. Mrs. Cleland is a fantastic science teacher and I'm glad my students will have the opportunity to learn science from someone who works hard to instill a love for science in her students. I will in turn be teaching Mrs. Cleland's students math. I have always loved math and now I love teaching it as well! In addition to whole group lessons, I will be teaching small groups of students while other students work independently to practice math skills or complete projects. Throughout the year I will have students using manipulatives, chromebooks, interactive notebooks, and group help to solve math problems and become better mathematicians.
For ELA and Social Studies, we will also use notebooks almost daily to record notes from lessons. These notebooks can be great tools for students if they stay organized and are brought home regularly. Regardless of the subject, students will be encouraged to collaborate with their peers. We will communicate in person and through google classroom often. So far the class has done a fantastic job of building each other up with responses.
With the excellent students in my class, I know this will be a fantastic year!
I live in New Bern and have a strange cat named Belle. My fiance, Andrew, is the band director at West Craven High School. Currently we are both working with the marching band after school and on weekends. Come see me at any of the WCHS football games! I'll be with the band. Most of my Saturdays until November will be spent going to marching band competitions around the state, but when I have free time I enjoy playing board games and pokemon (on my D.S. or using Go on my phone), learning to cook new things, and hanging out with my family.
I graduated from Appalachian State in 2013 with a degree in Elementary Education. At school I learned a lot about writing lesson plans, tests, and projects. I also learned some teaching techniques and specific content pedagogy. However, I have spent my time since college continuing to learn and grow as an educator. I continually reflect on my teaching practices in order to improve my quality of teaching.
Something I am thrilled to start this year is team teaching. Mrs. Cleland is a fantastic science teacher and I'm glad my students will have the opportunity to learn science from someone who works hard to instill a love for science in her students. I will in turn be teaching Mrs. Cleland's students math. I have always loved math and now I love teaching it as well! In addition to whole group lessons, I will be teaching small groups of students while other students work independently to practice math skills or complete projects. Throughout the year I will have students using manipulatives, chromebooks, interactive notebooks, and group help to solve math problems and become better mathematicians.
For ELA and Social Studies, we will also use notebooks almost daily to record notes from lessons. These notebooks can be great tools for students if they stay organized and are brought home regularly. Regardless of the subject, students will be encouraged to collaborate with their peers. We will communicate in person and through google classroom often. So far the class has done a fantastic job of building each other up with responses.
With the excellent students in my class, I know this will be a fantastic year!