Hello!

I would like to welcome you and your child to fourth grade. I am looking forward to a wonderful and exciting year for each of my students! It is important to me that each student's experience in fourth grade is a rewarding one. I am interested in each and every student and would like to furnish an educational experience that provides a safe and positive learning environment.

Students will work in an environment that allows for group and individual instruction, daily practice of skills, hands-on experiences, technology integration, as well as a sense of responsibility and respect for oneself and their peers. For all of this to happen, I need your support. Please see that your child accurately completes their homework assignments each night and that you are monitoring their grades through our online gradebook. Communication between home and school is vital to your child's success in the classroom. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach me at 623.523.8750 or at nichole.pottinger@dysart.org.

In 2001, I started my teaching career at Luke Elementary. I was a special education teacher for 5th, 7th and 8th grade students. In 2003, I transferred to Cimarron Springs, where I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. In May of 2006, I was named Teacher of the Year at Cimarron Springs. In 2011 and 2012, I taught 4th grade at El Mirage Elementary and participated in the iTeach program in conjunction with Arizona State University. I returned to Cimarron Springs in 2013 and moved to Western Peaks when Cimarron became a 5th-8th grade middle school. I am now entering my 22nd year of teaching.

In December of 2001, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from ASU with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. In December of 2009, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from NAU with a Master's degree in Education Technology.

-Nichole Pottinger