NGSS at Creekside!!!

WELCOME COMETS to the Science Lab!

My name is Miss Woody, but I’m not a stranger! I’ve been teaching at Creekside for 10 years!

I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor's of Science in Archaeology. Afterward, I worked for The Junior Statesmen Foundation, a nonprofit, non-partisan political organization that is run by high school students, which adults facilitate. While with the organization, I worked with the Southern California region out of San Mateo, Ca., as well as with students at Georgetown, Princeton, Yale, Northwestern and Stanford in summer programs examining political issues.

After that, I received my California Teaching Credential from California State University, East Bay. Since, I have taught 5th grade and 1st grade for four years in Richmond, Ca, and eight years at Creekside as a fifth grade at Creekside and later, earned the privilege of guiding our school into transitioning to the Next Generation Science Standards. All 12 years, I learned so much and am excited every day to teach and learn from each and every fascinating child that crosses my path.

In the summer of 2010, I was introduced to a program called National Board Certification. This is similar to a second Master's Degree. This is a nationally and internationally recognized certification. In the program, teachers meet rigorous standards, where we submit teaching videos and reflections, detail collaboration and analyses with the community, parents, and colleagues, and take a series of exams to achieve the status as a National Board Certified Teacher. I achieved my certification in 2011 and am re-certifying again by collaborating with educators at Stanford University this school year.

Additionally, during the 2015-2017 school years, I worked with Columbia Teachers College in New York City and NASA to obtain a STEM leadership certification. I learned about instructing other educators in the Next Generation Science Standards, using authentic data obtained by NASA's satellites to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Personally, my son, Felix is beginning Kindergarten this school year and I am terrified to try distance learning with a Kindergartener this year as a single mom. As we enter the terrific, fives, I find that my time as a teacher has allowed me to accumulate the amazing patience a mom needs at this point in life and I know it is something that we will all need throughout the next few months and beyond!

We are going to have a fabulous time this year and I have tons of hands-on activities to try out, even while remote!

A note on materials: Please know that we have worked very hard to provide you with a starter-kit of materials. We will be utilizing them during our lessons and it is important that you think of them as tools. If, for any reason, that you run out of anything or we missed something for a lesson, please reach out and I will do my best provide what you may need, with the caveat that I have very little left in my lab. I will try to list what should be gathered on my website a few days before we have a lesson so that your child is ready.

Finally, I am a huge advocate for reusing materials as it helps save the planet, so once you have used anything, please wash and dry it and place it in a container that can be used for future students. I will give you instructions on how to return it in future communications.

I heard someone say in a training recently that we should think about things in terms of the OC (not the tv show…). OPTIMISM and COMMUNICATION. Please know that we are all doing our best and we will continue to grow and get better at distance learning. Also, know that I am available as much as possible-whether I need to help by delivering materials to your home or just having a short check in to make sure that you and your family are safe, happy, and CURIOUS!

Warmly,

Miss Woody