Mrs. Graser
Greetings!
I am so excited to meet you and your students this year! We are going to have a fun time learning about the world around us and building skills to pursue learning for the rest of our lives.
Meet your teacher
Samantha Graser | Lower Grammar | Ascent Classical Academy Douglas County
ABOUT ME
In May, I graduated from The King's College in NYC with a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. In August I got married to my wonderful husband, Jake. Needless to say, this year has already been quite exciting. I have lived in Colorado since 2014 and enjoy all the summer activities this beautiful state has to offer. Day hikes and kayaking with friends in the mountains make for lovely summer mornings. One last little factoid about me is my love for coffee. In college I realized how little beans make an impact in our relationships, our productivity, and our global economy. Ask me about it sometime. I have a whole spiel about coffee (and a deep love for single origin pour overs).
EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY
Education exists not only as a means of increasing a student's intellectual knowledge, but also his or her understanding of the true, good, and beautiful. Formal education should instruct students to creatively solve problems and embrace the struggle of finding answers. Good education teaches students to continue learning well after they leave the four walls of their school.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
I am so excited to get to know you and your students this year! Having just graduated from college, I am looking forward to going back to the beginning, so to speak, and re-learn alongside your students.
GET TO KNOW ME
what is your favorite book?
Emma by Jane Austen is by far my favorite book. I love the character growth portrayed through witty humor. Although, recently I am exploring Russian literature. Anna Karenina now holds a close second place.
What is your favorite subject?
I love history! Learning history widens one's scope of understanding the world. It distinguishes the difference between great men such as Alexander the Great, and good men like George Washington. Students can then choose for themselves which figure they would like to emulate.
What do you love about ascent?
I love the amazing teachers and staff at Ascent. A school is only as good as the people running it. The people here are phenomenal!
What is your favorite Game?
It may sound trivial, but Uno is one of my favorite games. It is a simple game my husband and I play to catch up with each other at the end of the day. We keep a running score. It gets a little competitive sometimes.
MEET YOUR TEACHER'S ASSISTANTs
Mrs. Ginger Popp and Mrs. Brenda Pyle | Ascent Classical Academy of Douglas County
Mrs. Popp
Hi! My name is Mrs. Popp and I am so excited to be one of your 1st grade assistant teachers! While this is my first year as a TA at Ascent Classical Academy, this is our third year attending the school. I’ve been a TA for the past three years at the preschool level. I love the classical model of education and how it encompasses a person as a whole being; mind, body and soul. I also like that it teaches the good, the true and the beautiful of life.
I have lived in Colorado since I was 10 years old and grew up in the Centennial area. I have a BA in Spanish from Colorado State University and a minor in Communications. My husband, Shannon, and I have 3 children, Michaiah, 10, Naomi, 8, and Gabriel, 5 and an English Cream Golden Retriever, Snowball. I look forward to assisting the 1st grade teachers and students this coming school year and meeting your children.
Mrs. Pyle
I have lived in Colorado since I was 16. I attended Liberty University and also took classes at University of Colorado Denver. I was a pre-school teacher before getting married. After getting married my husband and I started working with International Students at Denver University. We helped connect them with American Families so their time here wouldn't be as lonely and they could learn more about our American culture. I have 6 kids who I homeschooled through middle school. Currently I have my last 2 children at Ascent Classical Academy, a 9th and 11th grader. I'm looking forward to becoming a first-time grandma around Thanksgiving. I am an avid reader of all sorts of books. When I'm not reading I can be found in my garden or in the kitchen cooking. I was a Recess Aid last year at Ascent and am looking forward to being a Teacher's Aid for 1st grade.
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