Marissa Gaines

I began my "teaching" career as a dance instructor teaching ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, you name it! However, my love for teaching transferred to the classroom when I started working in an After School Program. I have since worked in many grade levels, and enjoy certain things about each! I have taught third grade the longest, mostly in a Title I school. I have taught clusters of students that have been qualified as EIP, ESOL, Speech, and Gifted.

Since I started as a dance instructor, I LOVE to bring music and movement into my classroom! I also try to think as creatively as possible- bringing in new and innovative lessons into my everyday classroom. I try to integrate technology, but also love hands on, student-to-student interactions.

I won a Grant competition within my county, receiving a class set of I Pads to create a virtual mentor ship program between my elementary classroom with middle and high school classrooms throughout my county.

I received a Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. I am certified to teach elementary education (grades PreK-5th), and well as middle grades Science. I have an endorsement in Reading Education, and Gifted Education.

I am a teacher surrounded by teachers. My mom, brother, sister, and sister-in-law are all teachers. To top that, we cover teaching the areas of Kindergarten, Third Grade, Middle School Physical Science, ESOL, and High School Biology. It's too bad that our weekly family dinners don't count as professional development!! Aside from my family of teachers, I am married to the most wonderful man! I love to go on walks, hikes, sit by the pool, and visit new places.