Want to get to know your teacher better?  Keep reading to learn more about me!

My name is Jackie Tarnai and I am excited to be starting another year at Goldwood with you!  I have been a part of the Goldwood family for SIXTEEN YEARS NOW. I have gone from doing my student teaching here many years ago to working in Bear's Den, being an Intervention Specialist, a First Grade teacher, then Second Grade teacher for eight years and finally, returning back to First grade for the 6ht year in a row! I LOVE FIRST GRADE SO MUCH!  This is where the students always come first,  grow from experiences, and have the most meaningful lessons.

I am an Ohio certified teacher with an undergraduate degree as an Intervention Specialist with a Mild/Moderate concentration.  In the spring of 2011, I completed my Masters in Early Childhood Education as well.  Both of my degrees are from Kent State University.

 I have had the opportunity to work closely with professionals to enhance my education and experience, including legal council on IEP writing and implementation as well as working with behavior specialists.  I have also received beneficial training sessions on our school's adapted Everyday Math, various reading, and Fundations (phonics) programs.  More recently in my career I took part in virtual Level 1 Google Trainings to help prepare me technology uses throughout the school year.  Like my colleagues, I learned a lot from the Dyslexia training throughout the '22-'23 school year that I will be implementing in my classroom and most recently completed a training on the Science of Reading and our Wit and Wisdom LA program.  

I have also enjoyed taking Fingerspelling and Sign Language classes both for school and for fun. My students have enjoyed me teaching them some of the language, and I hope to do the same for my class again this year! 

My husband Jono and I have three wonderful children. We are HUGE Cleveland fans and really enjoyed being able to go to games again this year.  My son, Joey also plays travel ball all summer! We got our dog, Twyla a few years ago.  She is a Catahoula Leopard mix and somewhat resembles an Oreo cookie.   We live in Westlake so we are really close to Goldwood.  Our family also owns a cabin at Atwood Lake where we spent most of the summer outdoors and on the water.  Our oldest, Joey just turned 13! Where does the time go?!? He loves sports and is a natural at anything he puts his mind to!   This year, he will begin Junior High at Lee Burneson!  Our daughter, Frances (Frankie) is 11.   She is a very funny and super sweet girl.  Frankie is an avid reader andrecently has taken up softball and volleyball!  Frankie will be in 6th Grade this year at DIS! Our youngest, Annaleigh (Annie) is 6!  She is such a beautiful and wild girl and has us all completely enamored by her curly hair and silly personality! Annie is going into 1st grade at WES. 

All of our children were born with permanent (and possibly progressive) mild-moderate hearing loss in both ears.   They wear hearing aids to help them, but are doing great with speech development and hearing obstacles thus far.  They are all very strong and beautiful little people.

Together we will make this a successful school year for YOUR precious children.  I love teaching and am very excited to help your child grow and learn...and I can't wait to grow and learn from them as well.  With your help, I will foster an environment of respect, creativity, acceptance, fun, and friendship! 

Please contact me anytime with any questions, comments or concerns!  

Jackie Tarnai

tarnai.jaclyn@rrcs.org