I am so glad you are taking the time to learn more about our amazing classroom! We are excited to learn, grow, and have fun together.
Our classroom is a place where every child is valued, encouraged, and celebrated.
Here you can find answers to all the questions regarding our classroom and the magical learning that takes place inside.
My Personal Teaching Philosophy
I aspired to become an educator because I am a firm believer that educators help pave the foundation to a child’s successful future. I chose a career in education because I love learning and helping children develop a deeper passion and thirst for knowledge. We are lifelong learners, and we are constantly learning new things about the world around us. This makes it important that students gain joy for learning. One of my favorite pastimes is developing creative learning materials and lessons that make learning fun, engaging, and enjoyable. I love learning how to use new educational technologies and using them as a way to enhance student engagement and increase visual aids while learning. I am also passionate about project-based learning. I find joy in utilizing my creativity by making multifaceted projects that meet the standards of multiple subjects at once while also being engaging. I adore encouraging creativity and critical thinking in my students. I am empathetic, caring, and I always put the person first. We must remember that our students are people too. They carry their own social, emotional, and environmental factors that can play a large role in their success. I do not believe that you can properly educate a child without their basic needs being met. As a result, it is vital to student success that educators take the time to listen, observe, and meet the learning and individual needs of each student. I know I am an asset to the community I teach in because I care deeply about the work I do and will always go above and beyond to be the best educator I can be.
Using Conscious Discipline in Our Kindergarten Classroom
Our classroom uses the principles of Conscious Discipline to create a safe, caring, and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive. Conscious Discipline is a social-emotional learning approach that helps children build self-regulation, problem-solving, and relationship skills while creating a positive classroom community.
In our classroom, we focus on teaching children how to recognize and manage their emotions, solve problems peacefully, and treat others with kindness and respect. Rather than simply correcting behavior, we view challenging moments as opportunities to teach important life skills. Children learn strategies such as taking deep breaths, using calming techniques, identifying their feelings, and using words to express their needs.
We work together to build a strong classroom family where every child feels welcomed, valued, and included. Daily routines such as morning greetings, class meetings, and opportunities to celebrate one another help strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging.
When conflicts arise, students are guided through respectful conversations that help them understand their emotions, consider the feelings of others, and find solutions together. This approach encourages responsibility, empathy, and cooperation instead of relying solely on rewards or consequences.
Families are an important part of this process. By working together and using consistent language and strategies, we can help children develop the confidence, resilience, and emotional skills they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Our goal is to create a classroom where children feel safe to learn, take healthy risks, build friendships, and discover that they are capable, valued, and important members of our learning community.
In our classroom, we work through and cover all of the Indiana Kindergarten State Standards.
I utilize the support of the McGraw Hill Wonders Reading Curriculum, Orton Gillingham, Heggerty, Envisions Math Curriculum, Scholastic Science and Social Studies Magazines, Picture Books, and other self-created supplemental materials to support our learning in the classroom.
I also love to incorporate music, American Sign Language, and life skills practice into my daily teaching practice.
For extra ways to support your little learner, please visit my "Learning Resources" page.
Morning meeting
Every morning we gather as a class, set our intentions for the day, and send "Well Wishes" to others who may need them.
Literacy Block
Includes engaging lessons, hands-on practice of literacy, decoding, and writing skills.
Morning Movement/Recess
Math Block
Lunch & Grade Level Recess
Heggerty (Letter Games, Phonics, Rhyming, and Segmenting)
Rest Time
The expectation during this time is silence as the class rests their brains, mouths, and bodies to give us the energy to make it through the rest of the day.
Calendar and Number Talk
WIN Time "What I Need"
This is a time where the grade level breaks up to provide small-group targeted intervention based on the needs of each student. Students who remain in my room receive gamified intervention practice and drills through the use of Orton Gillingham.
Specials (art, music, PE, etc.)
Library books are expected to be returned to school on library days, and tennis shoes are needed for P.E.
Writing Block
Students play a part in their learning by building Interactive Notebooks throughout the school year as they develop the skills of authors and illustrators across genres.
Snack Time
"Ketchup and Pickles"
Students can "catch up" on missed work or "pick" a free choice activity to conclude their day.
Pack Up and Closing Circle
*Science and Social Studies Standards are spiral reviewed in other subjects and directly taught through periodic project-based learning assignments and classroom transformations.
"If what I am doing interferes with learning, or hurts someone's heart, I will make a different choice."
What is a classroom promise? Each morning we recite a classroom promise to one another. “I promise to keep myself and my friends safe by using kind voices, walking feet, gentle hands, listening ears, and calm bodies.”
Students who are willing will place their name into our safekeeper box to commit to helping us stay safe at school.
Students know my job as their teacher is to keep them safe, and their job is to help me keep them safe.
Parents, you are an important part of our classroom community.
Here is what you can expect from our classroom partnership this year.
Regular Communication (weekly memos on Parent Square keeping you up to date on everything there is to know)
School Event Volunteer Opportunities
Flexible Conference Options
Shared Digital Learning Resources
Technology is all around us, and children must learn how to use it safely and responsibly. In Kindergarten, children are still developing the basics of writing and communicating. In my classroom, I foster a technology-supported learning environment. This means as a teacher, I implement a classroom smart board display into our daily hands-on learning to support and provide visual aids to students. This does NOT mean that students are on computers each day. One-to-one student screentime averages less than 20 minutes a week during a regular academic week in my classroom, is only used for academic purposes, and is fully monitored by me the whole time via screen monitoring software.
Sensory-Focused Classroom Design
Bubble Lamps, Fluorescent Light Covers, LEDs, and a calm-down area help make my classroom sensory-friendly
Classroom Jobs
Students will be able to earn a "classroom job" in my class. Every job is important, makes a difference in our classroom, and fosters responsibility.
Classroom Economy
I utilize a classroom token economy so students can earn "Class Cash", shop at the class store, and begin to develop important financial literacy skills.
Movement and Mindfulness
Students have built-in times to move and rest their nervous systems during our day together.
Classroom Transformations and Whole Class Prizes
To foster community and teamwork, students unlock whole-class learning incentives frequently. This includes special projects and days where I transform the classroom for an immersive learning experience.
Family and Friends Wall
If able, please send in a 4x6-inch photo of your family to be added to our cabinets in the classroom. All photos will be returned at the end of the year. (If you are unable to send one in, please send me a digital copy so I can print it and add it to the wall.)
Kindergarten is a big step in your child’s educational journey. They will miss you while they are at school! By having a photo of your family in our classroom, it will allow students the opportunity to think of you and send you well wishes as needed during the school day.
"We wish you well" is a calming social-emotional classroom routine and a kind greeting for students starting school.
How the Ritual Works
Deep breath: Take in a slow, deep breath to relax your body and mind.
Place hands: Put your hands directly over your heart center.
Send "Well Wishes": Breathe out while opening your arms to send caring, positive thoughts to others.
Wish You Well Heart Visual Aid
This is a place in the classroom where we place the names of absent or moving students inside a heart shape on a special board. We sing a short "We Wish You Well" song together during morning circle time.
This helps build and foster empathy by teaching young children how to offer love when they cannot help in a physical way.
Assessment is an important part of the learning process in kindergarten. It helps us understand each child's unique strengths, monitor their growth, and identify the support they need to be successful. Rather than focusing only on quizes or test scores, kindergarten assessments provide a picture of how children are developing academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Throughout the school year, children are assessed in a variety of ways. These may include teacher observations, conversations with students, work samples, classroom activities, and brief skill checks. Because young children learn best through play and hands-on experiences, many assessments take place naturally during everyday classroom routines.
The information gathered through assessment helps guide instruction, ensuring that lessons meet the needs of every learner. It allows us to celebrate each child's progress, provide additional support when needed, and offer new challenges as children grow in confidence and ability.
Assessment also helps strengthen the partnership between home and school. By sharing children's progress with families, we can work together to support learning and celebrate milestones throughout the year. In our kindergarten classroom, assessment is viewed as a tool for learning—not simply a way to measure achievement. Our goal is to help every child build a strong foundation, develop a love of learning, and reach their full potential.
This year, students will take:
Quarterly Kindergarten Report Card Assessments (Administered 1-to-1 by me)
DIBELS Beginning, Middle, and End of Year Assessments (Administered 1-to-1 by me)
I-READY Math Assessments (Administered 1-to-1 on computer)
High Ability Screening (CoGAT)
Dyslexia Screening (RAN Assessment)