Sheila's Leaps in Learning

With 32 years experience in the public school setting I have quite a large repertoire of fun educational activities that I am eager to share! Over my career, I've taught the following grades: Kdg.-5 years, 1st grade-19 years, 2nd grade-7. I retired in 2010 and have since substituted, tutored, become a foster parent, and now am an adoptive mother of five, ages 11, 12, 13, 16, 17 (I have 3 older bio kids.) I recently took a part-time teaching job and am back in the classroom with my own first graders! Loving it!

Throughout my years of working with young students, I have developed and used many activities in my classroom that truly make learning fun. I love teaching through themes and watching my students be fully engaged in what they are learning! In my own education and experience I learned how important it is to involve children through experimentation, movement, music, games, and stories to make learning more memorable and meaningful.

In 2000 I was honored to be one of five finalists for Teacher of the Year for the Independence School District in Missouri.

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Education from UCM in Warrensburg, Missouri, a Master's Degree in Education from UMKC in Kansas City, MO, and 30+ additional hours from other universities. Throughout my career I supervised 8 student teachers and many interns. I was trained and participated in a two-year study called Project Construct, that focused on how children learn through discovery. I also served as a Mentor Teacher for the last eight years of my career.

Over the years, I found that I really enjoyed creating new materials for my students to meet their interests and needs. Many times I was told by parents and other teachers that I should publish my work. So here I am!