Ms. Elena's
4th Grade Learning Page
Teacher: Patti Elena
📧 Email: pelena@psdschools.org
Hello and welcome to our fifth grade learning page! I am so happy you found this space. My name is Patti Elena and I'm a fifth grade teacher at O'Dea Core Knowledge Elementary School. This is my 29th year of teaching, my 16th at O'Dea, and I am so lucky that I get to work with amazing students every day! I am moving back up to 5th grade after spending many years teaching K/1st grade. Years ago, I taught 5th grade in California and I am so very excited to get back to working with older students.
I have lived in Fort Collins for 19 years and absolutely love it here. I live near Cathy Fromme with my dog Gryff (short for Gryffindog), and my two cats Galli (short for Galladrial) and Goose. Coop is a senor at Rocky. My two boys are off to college this year. Cooper is a freshman in the mechanical engineering department at San Diego State University. My other son, Jack, is a sophomore student in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I am so proud of my boys but this will be my first year without them close by. Come ask me how they are doing!
For fun, I spend a lot of time walking my dog - he's a very active guy! - reading science fiction & fantasy. I also love to climb at Whetstone. I've been climbing for about three years sand I love it! It's hard and challenging and every time I learn a new climbing skill or grab a new hold, I feel strong and capable. I try to bring that mentality into the classroom. It is so important for all people to learn that sometimes we have to work hard to learn new things... Sometimes we fail and have to try again and when we figure it out - it's an amazing feeling.