Tarheelstate Teacher

I've taught for 11 years in North Carolina. Most of my teaching experience has been as a 5th grade classroom teacher, but I was also lucky enough to have the experience of looping from 4th grade to 5th grade with two groups of students. Later, I taught 4th grade for two more consecutive years. I've experienced teaching in a departmentalized setting where I taught math to my entire 5th grade group. Later, I was fortunate enough to teach 4th and 5th grade math and that is where I truly found my passion for differentiated math education. I have a masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Reading and received National Boards Certification in Middle Childhood. Being an elementary teacher, I've taught all subject areas and constantly think of ways to link subjects to one another. I like to think about ways to engage children in content area topics through collaboration and discussion. I have a passion for differentiated instruction (both for learners who need more support and for advanced students who need more challenge). I have successfully implemented Project Based Learning and Service learning at the classroom level, building level, and district level. I have presented on service learning in the classroom at Habitat for Humanity Youth Leadership conferences.

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It was in my looping experiences that I finally saw the staircase that links one grade level's skills, standards, and expectations to the next. I delved deep into the standards and found links that connected 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade standards. From there, I began the process of creating my leveled math assessments. I get excited about small group teaching and stations where I can seamlessly differentiate instruction for every child while providing fun activities and the "down and dirty" practice that they need to develop mastery. I believe collaboration and student discussion are key to any classroom environment. Students love to talk and I love to harness that excitement to increase learning and engagement.

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Became a wife and mother in 2015 National Board Certification, Middle Childhood Generalist Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading Teacher of the Year, 2010-2011 Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Board Member

Undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Chapel Hill; Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading from NCSU

As a "tarheelstate teacher," I have always taught in North Carolina. I grew up in the Charlotte/Cabarrus County area and now work and live in the triangle. If you are a tarheelstate teacher, please say hello!