This is my 19th year teaching Lower Elementary Montessori at Norris Elementary School.  My favorite part of teaching is being able to establish strong relationships with my students and their families over 3 years.  Montessori is a perfect place to find a home away from home.  They are my kiddos when they enter my classroom and I am so lucky that you are willing to share your child with me.

When I am not teaching I love spending time with my own family.  I have a husband named Jon and two daughters named Norah and Ayla and our son Benjamin.  We love to go on adventures together as a family.  This summer we were able to spend time at our house, the swimming pool, zoo, state parks and many other places.  We visited friends California around the Tahoe area. Norah will be a sixth grader at Russell this year. Ayla will be in third grade and Norris and Benny boy will be starting Pre-K in the Montessori program.  I love having my children here at Norris because I know they are surrounded by some of the most supportive, caring and wonderful people I know.

Cultural: In Montessori Cultural is the cornerstone of Montessori.  We begin the year learning about the 5 Great Lessons.

Math: All math in Montessori begins with a concrete representation and then will move to the abstract concept.  Math consists of math concepts, math facts, math operations and geometry.  We begin math by learning about the History of Mathematics. Many math groups are differentiated based on different ability levels. 

Language: We use many multi-sensory materials and symbols to help the student make a hand to brain connection to the language goals they are learning.  Our focus in language includes, word study, grammar, language mechanics, spelling and writing.

Reading Groups: We begin small group reading lessons after reading groups are differentiated.  Reading groups consist of comprehension, phonics and phonemic awareness lessons. We are excited to start Flyleaf this year as our new reading curriculum.

Reading Concepts: Focused concepts are discussed and practice in both whole group, small group and individual settings.