Reading Opens Doors

I am in my ninth year of teaching. I taught second grade for two years and currently teach reading intervention in grades one through four. I absolutely adore working with students to help them grow as readers and learners. I student taught in 5th grade, which is such a great grade level for insightful questions, powerful discussion, and hands-on projects. From there I worked as a long-term sub teaching science to students grades four through six, which got me hooked on integrating science and math together with hands-on STEM projects. My first full-time teaching job was in second grade, which was quite a culture shock after spending time in older grade classrooms. However, I found that I loved working with the younger students as well. It was a particularly exciting grade level because many of my students were just beginning to see themselves as readers and it was a perfect time to foster a love of literature. I taught second grade for two years and then I was given the opportunity to apply for a reading interventionist position in my building. I have loved working with students at all grade levels. I go from working on foundational skills in first grade to doing close readings of complex texts in third/fourth. All of my students know how obsessed I am with books. I love being able to share that passion with kids all day! I am also incredibly passionate about creating quality activities, lesson plans, and resources for my students and am eager to share those products with other teachers.

I like to encourage my students to take some personal responsibility for their learning, with me there as a facilitator for guidance and support. The gradual release of responsibility is a big component of my teaching, so that by the time students are working on something independently they have been equipped with the skills that they need to succeed. As often as possible I also like them to participate in authentic, hands-on activities that give them practice in reading, writing, math, science, or whatever the subject may be.

nominations for Teacher of the Year

I earned my Bachelor of Science-Teaching degree (Elementary Education K-6 and Communication Arts/Literature 5-8) from Winona State University in 2010. In 2012 I received my K-12 Reading Teacher certificate from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, with my Masters in Literacy Education to follow in 2013. I am already getting the itch to go back...there is always something new to learn in education!

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