The Motivating Teacher

Certified K-6 Elementary Teacher Certified K-12 Reading Specialist 11 years of Experiences in Elementary Education

I LOVE STEM learning, hands-on project based learning and integrating content across the curriculum. I have made a personal goal of integrating more culture into my lessons - and not just reading a "culturally aware" book. We make connections and do research in those "teachable moments" to explore if other parts of the world experience life as we do. Do they have the same apples all over the world? Did you know China is the number 1 producer of apples? No? Either did we! We study cultures daily in our Cultural Connections literacy center, we align and consider STEM units throughout the year and strive to make mistakes in all we do - so we can learn best from them!

Masters of Education Degree in Reading Nationally Board Certified Teacher - Early/Middle Childhood Literacy Certified Reading Specialist Prior School Teacher of the Year Winner of Multiple "Bright Idea" Awards Teach America - Math Teacher Story Award National Winner DirecTV - Teach America Guest Blogger NC PTA - Nominee for 2016 Teacher of the Year Winner of Multiple Donors Choose Grants

Graduated Magna cum Laude - University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2008 Graduated Summa cum Laude - Benedictine University, 2011 National Board Certified teacher NBPTS, 2013

Married to my husband, Michael for 21 years Two children, 17 and 13 4 cats, 1 dog, 1 class gecko, 1 class hamster, and 1 class hermit crab! Lover of animals and like to save them! :)