Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.  I loved working with kids, and I had some amazing teachers while I was in school that helped influence that decision.  I am happy to say that I can live out my passion of caring for kids every day.

I believe that strong relationships are the foundation of effective teaching.  I strive to build a supportive and trusting classroom environment where students feel valued, respected, and comfortable taking risks.  Those relationships don't stop at the classroom door.  Some of my favorite memories are supporting my students during activities outside of school, whether that is a sporting event, piano recital, play, or a float in the Quaker Day parade.  I've even been blessed to attend a birthday party or two.  I love to see my students succeed in all areas of their lives, and I want them to know that I care about them as a person, not just a student.

I work hard to create meaningful lessons that are hands-on and encourage active participation, exploration, and real-world connections.  By engaging students in meaningful activities, I help them take ownership of their learning while developing critical thinking and problem solving skills.  I teach my kids how to communicate effectively with each other so they know how to work collaboratively and respectfully.

I also value collaborating with my teaching team.  We regularly work together to share ideas, reflect on student needs, and design new and engaging lessons that support all learners.  Through teamwork and creativity, we work to provide the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Thank you for taking the time to review my submission for Teacher of the Year.  I hope through this site you can get a glimpse of how I work to bring joy to learning each day!