Experience Summary
After graduating with my Master’s of Education from the University of Florida in 1996, I began teaching at Emma E. Booker Elementary in Sarasota. I was fortunate to spend my entire teaching career at this school and to be a part of a team that brought the school from a D- rating to a B+ status in the course of a few years. I taught First Grade for the first three years but spent the remaining eight years in the Fourth Grade where I served as Lead Teacher for five years. As the Fourth Grade team leader, our FCAT scores increased consistently, especially in math and writing. I am also a certified New Teacher Mentor, a student intern evaluator, and I have my ESL endorsement.
Teaching Style
My teaching style would likely be characterized as chiefly direct instruction and coaching followed by teaching. When introducing a new concept, I believe in explicit instruction coupled with examples, non-examples, background history of concept, determining the child’s prior knowledge and experience, and relating the importance of the concept to the student’s daily life. After this, I believe that a teacher then takes on a coaching role and facilitates the student in an understanding of a concept. Finally, I feel that a true test of a child’s understanding is if he/she can teach the material to someone else.