They Can Learn It

My career in education began in 2003 where I started at a private school, teaching third grade. I loved the age group and found that I enjoyed developing strategies, jingles, and mnemonics to help make concepts fun and memorable for my students. In 2008, I decided to make the transition to public education and began the next season of my journey at a charter school, where I again found a position teaching third grade. Here, there was a new challenge which I had not faced in the private school but yet was ready to meet head on, trusting God to help me prepare my students for success in meeting the standards for third grade. The test the students would be taking was the "dreaded" FCAT, a high stakes test that for the third grade alone is the determining factor of promotion onto fourth grade. Although never having had this challenge before in teaching, I was thrilled to learn (when the tests' results came in) that the combined two third grade classes' scores from our charter school (in both math and reading) were the highest in the district! It was a tremendous victory for our school, and every year since we have had the highest scores in math, though making second place in reading in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, I am again happy to say that we had the highest scores in both reading & math and are in the top 4% (out of 2,200 schools in our state) with our third grade scores. I enjoy my role in sharing my personally developed resources, jingles, and mnemonics to help the third graders at our school. I know I could not accomplish any of this as successfully as it has gone without the help of the Lord and a great team of teachers preparing the students who come through our classes and working beside me each day. My hope is to continue to use the strategies and resources I have been able to develop (with God's help) to empower other teachers to realize that success in math and other areas of learning is possible for every student if it can be presented in a way that is concrete and memorable.

With over a decade of experience in the educational sector, I am deeply passionate about fostering a love and excitement for learning in every student. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that education should be joyous, accessible, and tailored to meet the needs of my learners. I employ a creative and engaging teaching style, utilizing a diverse array of tools—from songs and games to imagery and storytelling—to demystify complex concepts, particularly in mathematics. My approach is characterized by its emphasis on hands-on learning and the use of innovative strategies that cater to various learning styles, ensuring that every student can find joy and confidence in their educational journey. Beyond traditional teaching methods, I am committed to leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience. I have developed mnemonics and educational resources that have been shared and celebrated on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers, highlighting my ability to transform challenging topics into captivating learning opportunities. This creative integration of technology underscores my dedication to not only improving student comprehension but also to making learning an engaging and dynamic process. In every aspect of my teaching, I strive to create an environment where students feel valued, understood, and excited to learn. My hope is to help even more children across the nation understand and master challenging concepts by deconstructing their complexity through imagery, mnemonics, and other effective strategies to which they can relate.

FCAT Results for Our Third Graders: 2008-2009 Highest District Scores in Math & Reading 2009-2010 Highest District Scores in Math & Reading 2010-2011 Highest District Scores in Math & 2nd Highest in Reading 2011-2012 Highest District Scores in Math & 2nd Highest in Reading 2012-2013 Highest District Scores in Math & Reading 2012-2013 Our third grade scores placed us in the top 4% in the state. 2003 Valedictorian at Trinity College of Florida/ Graduating: Suma Cum Laude, President's List Awards, Dean's List Awards, Academic Excellence Scholarships,

Trinity College of FL

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