About Me!

I am currently finishing my  seventh year teaching at the University of Texas at Tyler's University Academy at the Longview Campus.  This year I 'm teaching English Langauge Arts to 5th, 6th and 7th grade. I am a strong believer in the Project Based Learning Model and implement it daily in my classes. After our past two years of  learning through COVID  I have been abile to take on flexibility to a whole new level. This year was my focus to get back to hands on in the classroom as well as dive into some great literature while digging deep into our model to teach at the higher level of rigor. I can already see the success through my students. They are level of indpendence and growth has sky rocketted alreay.  I know  our years with  Covid was an unpredictble road, but each twist and turn I grasped and found new and exciting ways to teach my students through new technology platforms and engagment.  This year has shown that all that hard work has truely paid off and my students did not fall into gaps.

I graduated with my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction May of 2018 through the University of Texas at Tyler with a focus in Educational Technology. I learned many new applications with in technology that I implement in my classroom dialy, and I am always finding new ways innovative technology with my students. I love our school and am a firm believer in the model to help our kids prepare for the real world. This year I am evoking on adding a more profound version of Blended Learning with a focus of personalized learning to meet students where they are at with curriculum. I have dove into Data trackers throuugh MAPS data and with our Benchmark and CDA data encouraging students to take the reins in their own learning.  I am excited to continue to research and  find new innovative ways to help my students establish progress at all levels. 

“Education is what survives when what has been learned as been forgotten”
- B.F Skinner

Teaching Philosophy

    Keeping children engaged and motivated in school is a challenging task, even for the most experienced teachers.  Project-Based learning allows students to rise to the challenge and incorporate creativity, real world concepts and application.  By using PBL’s in the classroom it creates a learning environment where students can be engaged by crafting driving questions, debating ideas, drawing conclusions and analyzing data. As a teacher, I think this type of learning is most extensive kind, where students will carry the knowledge they learned on with them to the next grade level and beyond. This is because the student applied the knowledge in a way that it will be unforgettable.  Not only does project based learning allow students to gain knowledge in a different way, but it also teaches them valuable lessons such as team cooperation and self management that is an important tool to learn for the “real world" and 21st Century Skills. PBL’s must be planned well with a variety of assessments in accordance with the TEKS, and as a teacher I must be flexible and encourage student motivation. Project Based learning is a wonderful learning method that builds on children’s individual strengths, and allows them to explore their interests in the framework of a defined curriculum.