DeAnna Sherred

I have been a 2nd grade classroom teacher for 8 years in ABQ, NM and this year I recently switched to 1st grade. The schools I've worked at have had very low socio-economic populations, where most of my students usually struggle, with most coming into the year very below grade level. Along with struggling academically, most of my students carry many health/emotional /home issues. Students in my class need mostly love and to know someone is going to spend time with them; they need exposure to rich experiences and daily practice. These experiences cannot be written out on a lesson plan but have helped me become the SUPER TEACHER that I strive to be everyday :) In my classroom, I'm not only a teacher, but frequently the nurse, counselor, mom, caregiver, babysitter, and friend to these students who all need individual attention everyday :( In the past several years, I've always been the teacher at school to "create" things for myself but then end up sharing with other teachers; helping them save time and not "reinvent the wheel" with resources I've already made. I wouldn't say my resources are creative, but rather practical. I usually advise my fellow teachers to take what I give them and "tweak it" to meet their needs :)

I luv graphic organizers and technology-based learning...I have had a Promethean board in my classroom for the last 5 years that I would never be able to teach without :( I enjoy teaching utilizing small group using Daily 5 skill station activities for literacy and math, as that is how most of my kids learn best. Lots of visuals is the way I go!! Students need routines to make sense of their learning, as well as being able to SHOW AND EXPLAIN, WHAT AND WHY they are learning !! We have also experimented with Leapfrog Reading Pens and an IPAD in the classroom that I got through Donorschoose.org and writing grants.

•Horace Mann “Mugs & Kisses” Award September 2011 •Office Max “Teacher of the Year” Award 2007 •NM Level II License 2010 •NM Level III License 2012

I graduated from high school in 2001 then went on to University of New Mexico to pursue my degree in Elementary Education. While I was in college, I was given the opportunity to become an Educational Assistant which opened the door to teaching :) I also became a Substitute Teacher to help me get through my student teaching days and get more practice in the classroom. I then graduated from UNM with my TESOL/ESL endorsement in 2005 and got a job in December ...worst experience ever but learned soo much!! After I began teaching for a couple of years, I realized that time was flying by and that I needed to start working on my masters degree from the University of Phoenix in Curiculum and Instruction, which I earned in 2009 at the same time my first baby came :) I earned my Level II license in 2010, and my Level III license in 2012.

I have been married to my husband for 5 years but was together 10 years before that (since I was a sophomore in high school) !! I got married in 2008 while I was working on my masters degree, then had two boys shortly after :) With having two boys in daycare, I have decided to take my resources, that I have worked so hard creating, to the next level and share them with the TPT world!! Thank you for checking out my page and please let me know how I can help you :) Happy Teaching!!