Differentiating for Differences

I have been lucky enough to wear a couple of different teaching hats with the areas of certification I have. I spent 9 years as a 3rd grade classroom teacher prior to staying home for a couple of years to just sport my mom hat. When I returned to teaching, I returned to the middle school level where I was a 7th grade reading/language arts teacher for 7 years. The past 5 years I have been able to develop a program for students with cognitive delays and other disabilities in my middle school as I have been an intervention specialist in charge of our multi-age resource room.

We are a hands on learning environment where the students in my classroom learn by doing. We interconnect all we do and my passion is bringing learning to life. I am a project centered, exploration teacher and firmly believe that learning happens through doing.

I am very blessed to receive positive feedback from my students' parents, my current students, and my former students throughout my career. This is the greatest honor I have received as a teacher. Knowing that I have made a difference is the best award I could hope for.

Bachelors in Elementary Education - Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio Bachelors in Special Education - Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio Masters in Reading - Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio

Although the teaching hat I wear each day is very important to me, the hat I wear that says "Mom" on it is my pride and joy. I am the lucky mom to 6 kids, 4 girls and 2 boys that range in age from 5 to 18. The wonderful thing about a spread of ages like that is I have every level of school covered from kindergarten to high school. Each one of my children has had their successes and challenges in school which has helped me grow as an educator.