This marks my 48th year teaching and 27th at BCE. I’ve worked with students in grades K – 5. My degrees include a BSEd from the University of Texas with a minor in math and MEd, also from UT, in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in remedial/diagnostic reading and special education. In addition, I have 45 hours beyond this degree in math and science education. I consider myself a professional student and love learning new things!
Our classroom is a very busy place. I believe in students constructing their concepts through hands-on/minds-on experiences that enhance learning. We always have some project or investigation going on: solving a mystery, exploring matter and energy, building models to explain what happens on earth and in space, determining geologic history, etc. The students are engaged in experiences that help develop science concepts, as well as, new vocabulary, problem solving skills, writing skills, reading comprehension and general understanding. They construct new learning by doing, then demonstrate this new knowledge through discussions, applications, and journal entries. Students make claims about what they discover then provide evidence and reasoning to support what those claims.
I love teaching both children and adults. Some evenings, weekends and during the summer, I am an active consultant teaching adults science, math, marine and environmental education courses. I am excited to be a part of the Texas Regional Science Collaborative, National Marine Educators Association, as well as, the Texas Marine Educators Association. In addition, I work with adults as a part-time adjunct instructor at Huston-Tillotson teaching science methods to both undergraduate education majors and alternative certification candidates. I have also taught undergraduate science methods at Texas State University. I am honored to be a Presidential Awardee in Elementary Science, as well as, Texas and National Marine Educator of the Year. I have had many opportunities to be involved in curriculum development including authoring state and local curriculums, as well as, being part of the author team for an elementary science textbook.
When I am not teaching, I am busy with my husband, two daughters, son-in-law and granddaughter. Marita, my oldest daughter, has a degree in musical theater from Oklahoma City University. She completed 7 contracts performing aboard Celebrity and Holland America cruise ships then landed at OCU in Oklahoma City to compete her masters. She now is a professor teaching voice in Tokyo. In addition, she is a great mom to Penny, our only grandchild. Kelli, also a musical theater major, graduated from Webster University in St. Louis. She is working teaching swimming and managing my brother's swim school, SwimJim, and auditioning in New York. We travel to NYC at least once a year. While we are there, we spend time exploring NYC museums, shows and the Hamptons. Did you know that there is a Museum of Math in NYC? Check it out. My husband and I try to see our girls as often as possible. We are traveling to Tokyo in the near future. (We really miss our little monkey!) Roger, my husband, is currently an art teacher at Baranoff Elementary in South Austin. He has also taught fifth grade. We both share a passion for science, teaching, traveling, photography and the arts. We love the outdoors, especially strolling along the beach and scuba diving.
I have been very lucky to be involved at the state and national level in both science and math. I served on the board of directors for many of these organizations, as well as, on committees that revised the state science standards (TEKS) and developed the National Ocean Science Literacy Standards and Scope and Sequence. This keeps me at the forefront of what’s happening in science. I also have a passion for the arts and have served as a board member for Broadway Texas and Zilker Theater Productions. The diversity of my interested keeps me constantly excited about learning and I hope to share that passion with my students!
I am excited about this year with a great school, Fifth Grade team, parents and students!