My Education/Experience

I hold a Master's degree in Elementary Education, with a focus on advanced teaching methods for grades 2-8.  I also hold a Master's Degree in Leadership and Development and am currently a Ph.D. student in Psychology, specializing in cognition and instruction.  Professionally, I am a South Carolina gifted and talented endorsed and certified teacher, as well as a Google Level 1 and 2 Educator.  My undergraduate studies were at Montreat College, where I majored in Education and Adolescent Psychology.  I have been involved in education since 2001, working with profit, non-profit, and public schools in teaching and curriculum development.  In 2014, I found my home and teaching family in the Fort Mill School District.  I was recently awarded the opportunity to be one of Springfield's District STEAM Leaders, and NASA (yes, NASA!) extended an offer for me to serve as a NASA STEM Educator.  My over 20-year background primarily involves working in gifted and talented education and with budding adolescents.  

I love learning and believe that we are all life-long learners. My goal this year with your student is to help them learn through different lenses, showing them that knowledge is EVERYWHERE and that they have a unique purpose using their gifts and talents!  Since I am teaching 3rd and 5th grade this year, I plan to prepare the 3rd graders for their onboarding year in the gifted and talented curriculum. At the same time, preparing the 5th graders for the next step in their educational journey (Middle School).  For both groups, this may involve teaching organizational skills, developing preparation skills, and encouraging students to take responsibility for their learning. Education is invaluable, and there is so much you can do with it!

Communication

Our classroom communication will be conducted through our weekly newsletter, available on this website, and via our LinkTree site.  Most communication will be through a FREE app called REMIND.

For all homework, quizzes, tests, and other important classroom dates, we will use our classroom Google Calendar.  Students have access to this calendar in Google Classroom or on their calendar app located in their "waffle" or Classlink.  These are crucial transitional years for your child, but I want you to know that my goal is to collaborate with you regarding their education.  Your students will have a safe space to learn organization, accountability, responsibility, and leadership skills. Please know that I am just a click away if you need anything or have questions.

This website is a "go-to" for parents and students to find specific links we use regularly.  As a parent myself, and getting feedback from parents, consistent communication, and having familiar places to find that communication was my strongest requests from parents.  Therefore, I have streamlined communication to REMIND and our LINKTREE.  Once setup on REMIND, most weekly correspondance and updates will be sent through there. 

Finally, thank you for taking the time to get to know me.  I know that we are going to have a fantastic year. The upper grades are crucial years for transitioning to middle school, both academically and socially.  I am just a small part of the puzzle in this transition.  It takes the student, parent(s), and the teacher for your child to succeed.  They will learn a great deal in the classroom and gain valuable social and life skills, which will encourage them to become more self-aware and self-motivated. I am grateful for your students and you!  With your support and their best efforts, they will be middle school-ready at the end of our time together!

Let's Make it a Great Year!

Jamie H. Thomas, M.A., M.Ed.

Ph.D. Student - Psychology, Cognition & Instruction

Follow Me on:

Instagram @jthomasteach