In addition to being a big fan of Harry Potter books, I also have several other books that I have read and enjoy sharing with my student. These range from adventure stories like those written by Gordon Korman and Eion Colfer to comical books like the "I Funny" and the "Middle School" series both written by James Patterson to scary books like "The Ghost of Graylock" and "The School of Fear." My hope in sharing these very different genres of books with students is that they will get excited about reading. My motto: The best way to become a better reader is by reading! :)
In addition to loving books, I enjoy being creative. This creativity has led me to experiment with all kinds of crafts including oil painting, scrapbooking, ceramics, card making, flower arranging, quilting, needlework, knitting, and crocheting. Out of all of these activities that I have tried, my favorites so far have been knitting, crocheting, and quilting, but I am always looking for something new to try.
Another of the things I love to do is learn which leads me to my educational background. Like every good college student, I changed my major in school. I first started off wanting to be a computer programmer, but then switched majors at the end of my freshman year to occupational therapy. I graduated with this degree and worked in OT in local school districts for several years before deciding to go back to school to get my teaching degree. After many years of going to school part time. I finally got my teaching degree. Because of how long I was in college the second time, I swore I was done with school but... then I decided to go back to school one more time to get my master's degree in Reading. Now I am absolutely done with school! (I think...)
Teaching is another passion of mine! I actually wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid. During the summers, I was one of those children who would round up their younger siblings and make them play school. Of course, I was always the teacher and they were always the students. I have been a teacher now for 11 years. During that time, I have taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, 4th grade. Without a doubt, 4th grade is my favorite class to teach. The students are more independent than kindergarteners, have cool ideas to share, have a great sense of humor, and are very eager to learn!
Last, but not least, I am married to a wonderful and patient guy and together we have 3 great kids. My oldest son recently graduated from Drake University in Des Moines with an actuary degree and now has a job in Ames, Iowa. My daughter is presently attending college at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and is majoring in bio-statistics. Our youngest son is also in college and is majoring in respiratory therapy. As you can tell, when your mother is a teacher, you don't have any choice but to keep going to school. :) At this moment, we are down to only one pet, a white bunny, who my daughter has nicknamed Bunnicula after a bunny character from a book by the same name. (If you haven't read it, you should. It's hillarious!)
In addition to loving books, I enjoy being creative. This creativity has led me to experiment with all kinds of crafts including oil painting, scrapbooking, ceramics, card making, flower arranging, quilting, needlework, knitting, and crocheting. Out of all of these activities that I have tried, my favorites so far have been knitting, crocheting, and quilting, but I am always looking for something new to try.
Another of the things I love to do is learn which leads me to my educational background. Like every good college student, I changed my major in school. I first started off wanting to be a computer programmer, but then switched majors at the end of my freshman year to occupational therapy. I graduated with this degree and worked in OT in local school districts for several years before deciding to go back to school to get my teaching degree. After many years of going to school part time. I finally got my teaching degree. Because of how long I was in college the second time, I swore I was done with school but... then I decided to go back to school one more time to get my master's degree in Reading. Now I am absolutely done with school! (I think...)
Teaching is another passion of mine! I actually wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid. During the summers, I was one of those children who would round up their younger siblings and make them play school. Of course, I was always the teacher and they were always the students. I have been a teacher now for 11 years. During that time, I have taught kindergarten, 2nd grade, 4th grade. Without a doubt, 4th grade is my favorite class to teach. The students are more independent than kindergarteners, have cool ideas to share, have a great sense of humor, and are very eager to learn!
Last, but not least, I am married to a wonderful and patient guy and together we have 3 great kids. My oldest son recently graduated from Drake University in Des Moines with an actuary degree and now has a job in Ames, Iowa. My daughter is presently attending college at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and is majoring in bio-statistics. Our youngest son is also in college and is majoring in respiratory therapy. As you can tell, when your mother is a teacher, you don't have any choice but to keep going to school. :) At this moment, we are down to only one pet, a white bunny, who my daughter has nicknamed Bunnicula after a bunny character from a book by the same name. (If you haven't read it, you should. It's hillarious!)