Building the Basics

My first position out of college was a pre-k teaching position. I spent 7 yrs. enjoying the wonders of 3s, 4s, and 5s. In 1999, I took a full-day kindergarten position and loved that for 8 yrs. I moved up to 2nd grade and "stretched" myself to explore the new sets of skills that 2nd graders tackle. After 7 yrs., I was asked to teach 1st gr. just for a year (such wee ones compared to "seconds"!). Now I'm back at 2nd and loving every minute of it. I have experience in both private and public settings.

Balanced: whole group instruction and guided practice, independent practice through seat work, small group instruction and cooperative learning, technology and STEM integration; and individual center work

I have served as a cooperating teacher for students going through their final field experience. This also includes being a cooperating teacher for a foreign exchange student teacher who was obtaining experience in an American school and gaining English proficiency. I recently wrote an article for Lutheran Education Association's Shaping the Future (Fall, 2018) publication. I have presented on my thesis research at two state and one national conference. I was selected as an Omaha Stormchaser's Outstanding Teacher in 2020.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Concordia University, Seward, NE., 1990 Additional early childhood education endorsement, Concordia University, 1990 12 hours graduate work, Washburn University, Topeka, KS. , 1993 and Concordia University, 1994 Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2016-2018 Mom to 4 children--Jarod, Ryan, Christian, and Adelynn

I call my store "Building the Basics" because I focus on activities that support the core curriculum. I create things that fill a need within my own classroom and then I share them with others who may benefit from them.