Hello! My name is Mrs. Monica Derks. You might have known me by my maiden name as Ms. Muraski! I was married this summer, and my new last name is short and to the point. This is my 17th year as a classroom teacher. Prior to coming to Westby, I was a teacher in Madison Metropolitan School District for 11 years. I got my bachelor's degree in English Literature at UW Madison, and I went back to school to get a second bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education. I decided to go back to school to become a teacher because I LOVE reading, and I really enjoy the energy and enthusiasm that teenagers bring to the classroom.  As a result, it is important in our classroom community that we have FUN reading and writing. Something unique about me as an educator is that I use a model for literature instruction called Engaged Reading, which centers around student choice and motivation. When I'm not reading for fun, I also enjoy being a mom (that's my family to the left), running, dancing, biking, making art, spending time with family, water skiing, and cooking.