All About Ms. Simpson

Professional Background

  • Graduated in 2013 from Fountain Fort Carson High School

  • Graduated in 2015 from Pikes Peak Community College with an Associates Degree in General Studies

  • Graduated in 2017 from Adams State University with a Bachelors Degree in English

  • Began my teaching career at Monte Vista High School in 2018

Hobbies

  • Reading (English teacher, duh)

  • Binge watching juicy Netflix series

  • Re-watching episodes of "The Office," and "Friends"

  • Collecting literally anything "Harry Potter" themed

  • Painting, drawing, sketching (follow my art pages on Instagram and Facebook! ---> Sketchy Acrylics)

  • Bike rides

  • Swimming

  • Yoga

Educational Pedagogy

  • We're all at different points in our scholarly pursuits, and that's okay!

  • Self-paced classroom structure + mastery-based grading = big gains for everyone

  • News Flash: there's some phenomenal literature out there from ALL backgrounds and walks of life

  • Kids need to see themselves in literature; diversity is KEY

  • Equity is not the same as equality

  • Compassion is always a more reliable classroom management tool than anger

  • Tough love, when dispersed correctly, leads to growth

Contact

  • The best times/ways to reach me include:

    • Email: kates@monte.k12.co.us

    • Remind (see a pdf how-to here)

    • T/Th after school from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room A205

On a more personal note...

Although I'm still a fairly new teacher, I believe this gives me an edge when it comes to relating to my students and building strong relationships. I use the relationships that I build with students to help teach them all year long. I love what I do, and the Monte Vista community and school district. I am a Valley native; I grew up just outside of town and attended elementary and middle school here before I moved to Colorado Springs in 2009. Despite the multitude of opportunities that I found in the city, the Valley has always been home to me. When it was time for me to pursue my four-year-degree, I could feel Adam's State calling my name. It was a dream opportunity for me to be able to teach in the home I grew up in, and I work every day to improve the community that I love. My main reason for becoming an educator was to make a positive impact on the next generations' hearts and minds, the way so many beloved teachers from my past did for me.

Outside of school, I love to chase my two daughters around with the love of my life. We enjoy family outings to the golf-course, bike rides around Alamosa, and family game/movie nights. My family means everything to me; they offer me love and support which allows me to continue building my teaching career.