Garden of Learners

My teaching experience has been in general and gifted education, grades 3-6. I teach a class of highly capable 4th & 5th graders in Washington State. I was an elementary principal and was blessed to witness many gifted teachers. I served as a staff developer, literacy coach, and K-6 music teacher. I returned to teaching - the thrill of helping to create "The Garden of Learners"!

I believe that teachers need to go deeper, expect more, and demand more. As the Master Gardener, I have to till the soil, nurturing each of my tender plants! Learning roots must go down deep! I must not over water or under feed - each has their own unique needs! All this is done in a loving, enthusiastic way. It is exciting to see each child grow and develop to their fullest potential. Each product I post on TPT has to pass these tests: * Will it create rich connective, Common Core Standard soil for learning? * Will it give students ways to demonstrate what they can do while having fun doing it? * Will teachers love the results of their teaching and student's learning? * Will the work done by students build a strong foundation for other learning yet to come?

Teacher of the Year (site), authored my site's National Blue Ribbon Excellence Award, Washington State Teacher of the Year (awarded by the Daughters of the Society for Colonial History - Washington State Chapter - for integrating history into my curriculum). The children I've worked with give me my greatest rewards as they return year after year to crown me with compliments and special memories they hold for our time spent in the garden together.

BA in K-12 Broad Area of Music, Professionalized Subjects (Elementary Minor), Master's in Education

I am a creative person - I have written articles, songs and books. I love to design via gardening, jewelry-making, sewing, knitting, crocheting, ceramics, paper-crafting, cooking, singing and pretty much anything I can get my hands on! The creative approach is therapeutic --- as well as a beautiful pathway to express one's unique individuality! Thanks to Lexi Bags on Etsy for designing my garden themed border and logo!