World's Okayest Teacher

I have been teaching for 11 years as a reading and U.S. History/Social Studies teacher for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. I did spend 3 of those years as a first grade teacher, which was one of the most challenging jobs I have ever experienced. I learned so much from my little friends, and have had the joy of following them through several other grade levels. Prior to teaching, I worked in Marketing and Public Relations. I have also worked with diversion programs for juvenile offenders. All that experience just means I must be old! During Covid, I taught 4th and 5th grade history to in seat students as well as virtual students from 5 separate schools in our system. Having my lessons on TPT Easel made my life bearable during that difficult time.

My students descibe me as strict and fun. I am the kind of teacher that likes to plan, but am not scared to jump in and try a new idea or strategy at the drop of a hat. Some of my best ideas occur to me in the shower while I'm getting ready for school, and it changes my entire day! Same standards, just a different approach. I teach on my feet and scaffold my instruction by what I like to call desk-hoppin'. I move quickly from group to group varying my support and instruction as needed. My classroom may be quiet and calm on one day and loud and full of high octane energy and discussions the next. I love my job, my students, my co-workers especially.

The best award or honor is when my students tell me they love history and talk about what we learn in class at home. Teacher of the Year - Rock Springs Elementary 2018.

I attended the University of Kentucky for the majority of my undergraduate degree, but graduated from East Tennessee State University. I got my Masters in Education at Milligan College.

My husband Tom and I have two grown sons. Riley is a graduate from the University of Tennessee and living in Nashville. My younger son, Davis was a United States Marine, and now is in Law School at University of Buffalo. I have a sproodle named Zoey.