Teacher Talk with Ris

I am a K-12 educator & community tutor; designing & implementing curriculum to allow her students to embrace the love of continued learning. I have taught Physics, Chemistry, Physical Science, Marine Science, Earth/Space, Environmental & Biology at the middle & high school levels. I also hold a BA in Education from St. Petersburg College, a MA in Curriculum & Instructional Design as well as a M.Ed in Adult Education & Leadership Development from the University of South Florida. I also am a Certified Life Coach.

I morph depending on the students I have in my classrooms. But if I had to characterize myself into a specific style I'd have to go with the "Natural" Teaching Approach. What do I mean by that.....I focus on my students. Over the years, all my efforts to improve my classroom has come down to the classroom itself - Do my lessons come alive? Are they 'down to Earth' concepts and vocabulary? Are the expectations practical from the grade level? As a Natural Teacher, I don't work myself to death. Instead, I put my students to work. Hands on activities, interactive discussions, creative outlets, outside the box thinking and relating.......honestly, I am the teacher I wish I had in school but never did. I maybe a teacher but I am also a human. Once my students understand that - the transfer of learning is seamless and inspiring! This is seen in my curriculum.

I am a Certified Life Coach, Florida State Certified Educator, and a Multi-Published Author.

Associates; General Education Bachelors; K-12 Masters; Adult Education, Curriculum/Instructional Development Masters; CTE Graduate Certificate; Human Resource Management Graduate Certificate; Management/Leadership

I began my academic career locally at SPC in Tarpon Springs with a drive to pursue mortician services. Thanks to a professional level of procrastination, I instead earned an Associates in Arts degree with a focus on education and a Bachelor's in Science in K-12. Once I graduated, I moved over to USF in Tampa for a Dual Master's in Education. My professional career started in the Healthcare field as a training developer for the professionals in this field. But I wasn't fulfilled. I eventually took a Guest Teacher position in 2018 and absolutely fell in love with the classroom setting! I've never looked back and have no intentions of ever leaving this profession. Teaching - not for the faint of heart but is heart fulfilling!