August 18, 2017 Dear Families, Welcome to the 2017/2018 school year! I am excited about the coming year and look forward to helping your (g)child grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Although I’ve had the pleasure of working with students in Encinitas Union School District and Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary for the last six years, many of you may be wondering who I am and what my background is, as a teacher. Please let me take the opportunity to introduce myself and provide you with a bit of my professional experience as a teacher and my philosophical point of view about learning in relation to your (g)child. I’m very happy to be celebrating my thirtenth year as a teacher and returning to the Olivenhain Pioneer Team as one of its third grade teachers. My professional and educational background includes twelve years of teaching experience in the elementary grades both in California and Illinois. I also hold a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a B.S. in Elementary Education. My philosophy of education is rooted in the belief and practice that academics and social/emotional needs must both be emphasized equally for growth and learning to occur in each of these areas. I believe that one is reliant on the other for success. If children understand a topic, it builds their self-efficacy, thinking flourishes, and their social and emotional needs are met. And, if children feel they belong and believe in themselves, they will also achieve and excel academically. I balance the social and emotional needs of my students and their obligation to master rigorous academic content by facilitating a secure, creative, inspiring, fun, and challenging environment where children think, apply, create, and evaluate what they learn in meaningful ways. I build a community of learners that are both respectful and supportive of one another, which creates an atmosphere where students feel confident to take academic risks. I also present a positive example for the students by exhibiting a personal teaching efficacy that includes various differentiated instructional strategies, positive and high expectations, as well as showing sincere care and respect for each of my students. I am a teacher because I want to be a positive influence on children’s lives. I want to motivate, inspire, and challenge young learners. I want every child to know and feel they are capable of learning, they are important, they make a positive difference, and that learning can be exhilarating! I am a teacher because I want children to be propelled by their own accomplishments and make their own unique mark on the world! I look forward to helping your (g)child learn and grow this school year. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns you may have.