About Me
I am Nora Cates the 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at Triangle Math and Science Academy. I'll start with a few highlights so you know a little about me. When I am asked where I am from I can honestly say I have a wealth of family history right here in North Carolina. My father's side of the family is originally from North Carolina dating back to the early 1800's. I have lived in Raleigh NC most of my life. I am a mother to five children ranging in the ages of 9 years old to 16 years. I enjoy gardening, art, photography, traveling and reading.
Shortly after my oldest child started school in 2010 I was inspired to return to school myself and pursue a degree in education at East Carolina University. Throughout my training I taught at a variety of schools in several different grades. I was became a fully licensed teacher in 2015 and am certified in all subjects. I also have an additional license for reading instruction. I completed my masters in spring of 2019 at Western Carolina University concentrating in literacy. I have been teaching elementary school since 2015 and am looking forward to the 2021 school year teaching middle school.
I love teaching reading and am passionate about making sure my students have a good foundation in English Language Arts to support their academic advancement in all subjects. Research shows that good readers increase their vocabulary and develop better grammar and writing skills. I enjoy sharing my love of reading with my students. I believe that a passion for reading supports strong academic growth.
My Teaching Philosophy
I Believe...
A successful teacher believes that all students are able to achieve great heights. I believe every student has a different learning style and it is the teacher’s responsibility to appeal to those styles. I believe when a teacher meets the student’s needs learning is fun and exciting.
The classroom environment should be conducive to learning. I believe it needs structure and guidelines. I believe students work best in a well-managed environment. They need to understand expectations and limitations so they can strive to succeed. They need to understand what their goals are and how to meet them.
While I believe in structure I also believe in fun. Learning should be fun and exciting. When a teacher creates excitement students want to learn. When a teacher sets expectations students strive to meet them. Learning should have a purpose and my students will understand that purpose.
I believe teaching is one of the single most important jobs there is. Whether your teaching job is as a parent teacher or a classroom teacher, you have a great responsibility in seeing that your child or children succeed. I believe it takes a village to raise a child and I am ready to do my part in the village. I love teaching and I believe it is the most rewarding job there is.