My History...
I was born and raised in in the "South" (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and later considered Mississippi my home as well- even though I didn't live there). I married my husband Dirk while still in college. In 1990, I graduated with my bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee (GO VOLS!!!!) in Therapeutic Recreation and worked for five years as a recreational therapist in Georgia. After having my two older boys (Garrett and Abram) and briefly experiencing the at-home mom job, I decided to go back to school. I received my masters degree from Georgia State University in Special Education in 1997 and began teaching for Gwinnett County Public Schools that same year. I later had my third and final son (Alaska). I have taught Moderate Intellectual Disabilities at Harmony and Walnut Grove (eight years), Mild Intellectual Disabilities at Duncan Creek (five years), and now teach Inter Related Resource (my fifth year). In 2008 I received my Specialist Degree from Piedmont College and currently working on my PhD in curriculum and instruction at Mercer University. Only two and a half more years to go! I currently hold certifications in Special Education (pre-k-12th), Teacher Support Specialist, Reading Endorsement, and I am currently Nationally Board Certified in Special Education. I LOVE not only teaching, but learning as well. I firmly believe that education is the key to all understanding.
I recently asked my sister, "Would you have ever thought I would end up being a teacher?" Without a beat, she quickly replied, "of course...remember all those times we played school and you insisted on being the teacher?"
Your childhood is SO very critical in creating who you are! Thank you to all of my former teachers who put up with me and didn't try to fit me into a box!
I recently asked my sister, "Would you have ever thought I would end up being a teacher?" Without a beat, she quickly replied, "of course...remember all those times we played school and you insisted on being the teacher?"
Your childhood is SO very critical in creating who you are! Thank you to all of my former teachers who put up with me and didn't try to fit me into a box!
My educational philosophy...
My philosophy of education begins with each individual student. As a special education teacher, I find that I must tend to each child individually while providing the core basic skills (reading, writing, and math) needed at an early age. All students not only can learn, but if given the right tools, can soar! I am always asking myself “Why am I teaching this and what is the purpose?” In order to teach, we must always reflect on why we are teaching what we are teaching. My goal as an educator is to provide my students with the tools to become independent and successful in their adult life. In order to create this independence for each child, I must find what “works” for each unique student.
I feel that all of my students have the ability to flourish if nurtured, and my job as a teacher is to provide them with all that they need to accomplish this feat. I must daily reflect on what and how I am teaching my students so that I prepare them with exactly what is necessary to achieve such success. Each student’s capacity to learn as well as learning style is different and I must constantly assess and determine the best way for each individual to master these skills. I want to provide as much as I can to assist them in achieving their independence.
Our job as educators, no matter what age, is to provide an education to all students. That education must involve the individual needs and requirements of the students, but can not be so taxing on our society that the benefits outweigh the cost. Education is never black and white, and my own personal philosophies are constantly being transformed and molded by what I see and do in school. Teaching is an ever changing, moving flow that often has many blocks in its path. It is our job as educators to remove the blocks to the best of our ability so that each child can gain what he/she needs.
I feel that all of my students have the ability to flourish if nurtured, and my job as a teacher is to provide them with all that they need to accomplish this feat. I must daily reflect on what and how I am teaching my students so that I prepare them with exactly what is necessary to achieve such success. Each student’s capacity to learn as well as learning style is different and I must constantly assess and determine the best way for each individual to master these skills. I want to provide as much as I can to assist them in achieving their independence.
Our job as educators, no matter what age, is to provide an education to all students. That education must involve the individual needs and requirements of the students, but can not be so taxing on our society that the benefits outweigh the cost. Education is never black and white, and my own personal philosophies are constantly being transformed and molded by what I see and do in school. Teaching is an ever changing, moving flow that often has many blocks in its path. It is our job as educators to remove the blocks to the best of our ability so that each child can gain what he/she needs.
My Education...
Last year, 2013, I began a new journey that will hopefully result in my doctoral degree from Mercer University in curriculum and instruction. I am very privileged to be able to have begun this trip and look forward to graduating in late 2016. You can find me for the next two and 1/2 years spending my free time writing a paper or reading a good book or article!
I received my specialist degree from Piedmont College in Curriculum and Instruction. This is a picture of all of the teachers within my graduating class in 2008. There were four other teachers from Duncan Creek who graduated with me. Can you find them?
Look forward to sharing my endeavors as I continue my education this Fall at Mercer Univ.!
I received my specialist degree from Piedmont College in Curriculum and Instruction. This is a picture of all of the teachers within my graduating class in 2008. There were four other teachers from Duncan Creek who graduated with me. Can you find them?
Look forward to sharing my endeavors as I continue my education this Fall at Mercer Univ.!
My Joys...
First and foremost, I love to teach. I am so blessed to be doing a job that I love. I cherish the moments when the "aha" lightbulb goes off! There is nothing better than seeing a child light up with happiness because they "get it." What a powerful tool we teachers are! Thank you for entrusting your child with me, even if for a brief moment in time!
Second, I love spending time with my family. I have wonderful supportive parents who gave me an incredible experience as a child, and I will always feel gratitude for all that they have given me! There is nothing like family, and nowadays, my husband and three boys keep me hopping each and every day! Enjoy each second you have with the ones you love...it changes with the blink of an eye!
Thirdly, I love to read. I do not spend much time watching TV (Don't ever ask me about a TV show because I really don't get out much!), rather, I spend my extra time reading and enjoying the incredible places that books can take me. The gift of reading is the most precious and value gift anyone can bestow on another human being! Read a great book soon and then share your thoughts with a friend...they too may find what an incredible trip they can have!
I also enjoy traveling ,and I look forward to going to MANY more places with those that I love. This past summer I had the opportunity to travel to England, Ireland, Scotland and France. This was my first trip to Europe and I look forward to going back some day! WOW! Take a break and enjoy the scenery...talk with someone you have never met...you may learn something in your journey that you never thought possible!
Lastly, I believe that not only is it necessary to keep our minds active, but we must also keep our bodies active as well. I enjoy all types of sports and have partcipated in various ones throughout my life (basketball, volleyball, skiing, raquetball, tennis, cross-country,and hiking ). I enjoy yoga, pilates, and aerobics (in the winter months when I can't get outside), and for the last nine years, I have been involved in running (not quickly I might add as I am not a speed demon hare, but rather more like the tortoise who does not quit!). I have run the Peachtree Road race since 2005 and enjoy a great 5 K every now and then. My latest endeavors have been participating in triathlons (swim, bike, run). In September of 2011, I completed my first Olympic triathlon @ Callaway Gardens and have continued with sprint tris monthly during the summer months of 2012, 2013 & 2o14! I find that the opportunity to exercise my body, gives my brain time to expand and grow. If you have an opportunity, take a moment to read the book Spark by Dr. John Ratey. My dissertation will be focusing on the effects of exercise and education. It is a critical part of our survival. Take time to...work it, work it!
Second, I love spending time with my family. I have wonderful supportive parents who gave me an incredible experience as a child, and I will always feel gratitude for all that they have given me! There is nothing like family, and nowadays, my husband and three boys keep me hopping each and every day! Enjoy each second you have with the ones you love...it changes with the blink of an eye!
Thirdly, I love to read. I do not spend much time watching TV (Don't ever ask me about a TV show because I really don't get out much!), rather, I spend my extra time reading and enjoying the incredible places that books can take me. The gift of reading is the most precious and value gift anyone can bestow on another human being! Read a great book soon and then share your thoughts with a friend...they too may find what an incredible trip they can have!
I also enjoy traveling ,and I look forward to going to MANY more places with those that I love. This past summer I had the opportunity to travel to England, Ireland, Scotland and France. This was my first trip to Europe and I look forward to going back some day! WOW! Take a break and enjoy the scenery...talk with someone you have never met...you may learn something in your journey that you never thought possible!
Lastly, I believe that not only is it necessary to keep our minds active, but we must also keep our bodies active as well. I enjoy all types of sports and have partcipated in various ones throughout my life (basketball, volleyball, skiing, raquetball, tennis, cross-country,and hiking ). I enjoy yoga, pilates, and aerobics (in the winter months when I can't get outside), and for the last nine years, I have been involved in running (not quickly I might add as I am not a speed demon hare, but rather more like the tortoise who does not quit!). I have run the Peachtree Road race since 2005 and enjoy a great 5 K every now and then. My latest endeavors have been participating in triathlons (swim, bike, run). In September of 2011, I completed my first Olympic triathlon @ Callaway Gardens and have continued with sprint tris monthly during the summer months of 2012, 2013 & 2o14! I find that the opportunity to exercise my body, gives my brain time to expand and grow. If you have an opportunity, take a moment to read the book Spark by Dr. John Ratey. My dissertation will be focusing on the effects of exercise and education. It is a critical part of our survival. Take time to...work it, work it!
My Favorite Books...
Check out these great books for kids:
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Gravediggers Daughter by Joyce Caroline Oates
Hatchet by Gary Paulson
Holes by Louis Sachar
James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Superfudge or Fudge by Judy Blume
Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Parks
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Parent/Teacher Resources:
The Fluent Reader by Timothy Rasinski
The Struggling Reader by Cooper, Chard & Kiger
At Wit's End: A Parent's Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears and Turmoil of Learning Disabilities by Jill Stowell
Shut Up about your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children by by Gallagher and Konjoian
Spark by John Ratey
Books about people with disabilities:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Running with Scissors byAugusten Burroughs
I know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Gravediggers Daughter by Joyce Caroline Oates
Hatchet by Gary Paulson
Holes by Louis Sachar
James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Superfudge or Fudge by Judy Blume
Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary
Junie B. Jones by Barbara Parks
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Parent/Teacher Resources:
The Fluent Reader by Timothy Rasinski
The Struggling Reader by Cooper, Chard & Kiger
At Wit's End: A Parent's Guide to Ending the Struggle, Tears and Turmoil of Learning Disabilities by Jill Stowell
Shut Up about your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children by by Gallagher and Konjoian
Spark by John Ratey
Books about people with disabilities:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Running with Scissors byAugusten Burroughs
I know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robinson
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck