My name is Dawn Downs and I am one of the fourth grade teachers at Masonboro Elementary School. This year is my 25th year at Masonboro and I am excited to work with another wonderful group of students.  I have enjoyed living in North Carolina as I was originally from Maryland. I have a wonderful husband and two grown boys. My oldest, Alex is married to my beautiful daughter in law, Daytona whom both blessed me with my handsome grandson, Archer who turned 4 in April. My youngest, Brady graduated from NC State, works here in Wilmington, and is also a daddy to his sweet boy, Milo (an adorable  Goldendoodle). The loves of my life are my fur babies “Ollie” and our recent addition, "Tater” who helps fill my empty nest void!

     I was drawn to the teaching profession because I enjoy working with children. I view teaching as a constant challenge that is seldom, if ever, boring. The realization that a teacher can introduce children to a new world of information and open up new possibilities daily was motivation in itself for me to select teaching as a profession.

     I love to teach... No two days in the classroom are ever the same, and that is one of the most exciting things about it. It is a job with its ups and downs, but its rewards are endless. What I try to do every day in my

class is to be a good listener, to guide instruction rather than lecture, and be willing to use varied methodologies to foster learning. I also strongly believe in establishing and maintaining good communication with the parents. This can foster a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom and can only enhance instruction. Teaching to me is not a nine to five occupation. It is a privilege and a tremendous responsibility. I believe in placing my students first during the school year and have a very supportive family who accepts the fact that my teaching takes priority. I know that I do not know everything there is to know about teaching. I am a life-long learner and want my students to become the same as well. I do set high standards in my classroom and will not accept minimal effort from anyone including myself. If I am to expect a one hundred percent effort from my students, then it is also fair to say that my students can expect the same from their teacher.

     I really try to make teaching an enjoyable, interesting and personally rewarding experience for my students while at the same time trying to have fun with what we are doing.