Mrs. Szurmant

Welcome to Second Grade! I am excited to start this journey with you. This year, your child will embark on many adventures which will empower them to overcome challenges and achieve any goals they set. I will develop and nurture the whole child including their social emotional well being, honor their individual learning styles, and support their natural inquisitiveness about the world around them. We will reflect on mistakes, learn from failures, and become confident risk takers! My firm belief in embracing failure and effort as great opportunities to learn, compel me to constantly evolve my curriculum. As your child’s steward, I work to engage them to understand perseverance and develop tenacity. I will work to consistently invoke curiosity and excitement in all my students.

I am in my 23rd year of teaching and have taught Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Second Grade. Beyond a Multiple Subject Elementary Teaching Credential, I also earned a Masters in Early Childhood Education (birth to 8 years of age) and hold a Montessori Degree. Throughout my tenure in the Irvine Unified School District, I have served in many leadership roles and mentoring positions.

I am firmly invested in the Beacon Park Community. Not only am I a teacher, but a Beacon Park parent. My son, Nikolas is in Seventh Grade and my daughter, Anna is in Fourth Grade. You can find us at many Beacon Park school activities. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling with my husband, Hendrik, playing tennis, scuba diving, and reading.

“We must be guardians of spaces that allow students to breathe, be curious, and to explore.” Brene Brown

I look forward to building a partnership with you this year!