About My Classroom
What is the feel of your classroom?
Happy and confident students learn most successfully and most deeply. Parents and students tell me that my classroom is a warm and comfortable place. They appreciate my calm, gentle, and kind demeanor. At this age level, I feel it is essential to set limits and have high expectations. Kids feel engaged in the learning and feel they are having fun in the classroom.
What is your educational background and training?
I have a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from San Francisco State. My additional training includes Exploratorium Inquiry Science Institute, Bay Area Writing Project Summer Institute, and the Marin County Math and Science Next Generation Collaborative.
What sort of teaching methods do you use?
I believe that teaching kids is an art form. I use the personal connection between myself and the kids to determine the best way to get them fired up about learning. My “go to” methods are humor, positivity and kindness. I plan my teaching units to engage students and awaken their natural curiosity about learning. I am always adding to my toolbox of teaching strategies, while retaining successful methods I have refined over the course of my career in elementary education.
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How do you maintain discipline in the classroom?
At the beginning of the year, students work together to create classroom agreements. I hold the class to these expectations with friendly and fair reminders. In most cases in my class, students behave appropriately because they feel like a valued and cared for member of our community. When needed, I employ individualized strategies emphasizing rewards for meeting behavior goals.
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