Mrs. Ballesteros

Mrs. Ballesteros in First Grade

Mrs. Ballesteros Now

The Ballesteros Family

ALL ABOUT MRS. BALLESTEROS

Hello! My name is Mrs. Ballesteros and I am very excited to be your child's first grade teacher! It is going to be a fun year full of learning and new adventures. I know we will get to know one another over the course of the school year, but here are a few things about me!

 

This is my fifteenth year of teaching, my sixth year as Pioneer School webmaster, and my third year as mentor to new teachers! I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature, with a concentration in World Literature and Cultural Studies, followed by my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and lastly received my Masters in Education, emphasis in Curriculum, focus in Reading Instruction. My teaching experiences range from kindergarten through 4th grade in the New Haven Unified School District, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, and here in Twin Rivers Unified School District! 

 

Outside of school, I love spending time with my husband and children. We are a family who loves singing and dancing together. We also like going on adventures to fun places like Disneyland, Discovery Kingdom, the Zoo, Sonoma Train Town, or the Aerospace Museum.

 

I like butterflies, which is why our class is The Butterfly Class. I enjoy getting lost in a good book. My favorite band of all time is the Backstreet Boys! I am hooked on chocolate, coffee, and Jamba Juice. My favorite sports teams are the Oakland A's, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and especially the San Jose Sharks!

MRS. BALLESTEROS' TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

I believe each student needs a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which to grow and mature cognitively, physically, emotionally and socially. Our classroom is a child-centered atmosphere that supports curiosity, discovery and risk-taking. 

I believe each student should be encouraged to show effort, but not perfection; contribute ideas and knowledge, but not necessarily what they perceive as the "right and only answer." I often tell my students, "Please don't be perfect, just do your very best." 

I believe every student should feel that he/she belongs, and is accepted and appreciated. I attempt to create a classroom atmosphere in which the voice of each student is heard, and students feel comfortable expressing themselves. 

I believe each student is an individual, with his/her own strengths, needs, interests, and learning styles. Each student should be academically challenged, not 'bored' or overwhelmed. As often as possible, I differentiate activities in order to meet a range of needs and abilities. Every child should feel confident that he/she is smart and, with effort and determination, will be smarter and stronger everyday!