Introduce yourselves to your colleagues. Make sure to tell us where you are from. Also tell us if this is your first online course.Tell us your strategy for making your online learning experience the very best it can be. Share your experiences, fears, or thoughts!
My name is Tabitha Miller and I am currently working at McDonnell Elementary as an Intervention Tutor. I have been working in the school system since 2001 as a tutor and an elementary school teacher.
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in the beautiful state of California. However, my career has given me the opportunity to live and teach in Chicago, Atlanta, and now in Huntsville.
This will be my second online course. I began to persue an MBA at Keller Graduate School and took a math course online. That was a very difficult experience because the class lecture notes were typed and I need math problems to be explained in person.
My strategy for making my online learning experience the very best would be to stay involved. As I read the book, I am also very curious about my co-workers thoughts and ideas too. Reading and commenting on their posts will create a learning environment that I can tap into constantly. We don't always get the opportunity to chat about ideas and thoughts in passing during the school day. I love the idea of a book study and I look forward to learning a lot. :o)
Miller, I did not know you were getting a MBA. Are you still working on it?
ReplyDeleteMy name is Mary Montgomery and I currently teach 4th grade at McDonnell. This is my first full time elementary teaching position since getting my BSED from Athens University. I completed a long term sub position as a 6-8th grade Science teacher and I taught Art for 5 years. I live in the country with my husband of over 30 years and our youngest daughter, Katie who is 18.
ReplyDeleteI love teaching at McDonnell. I was truly blessed to get this position and feel this is where God wants me to be. It was always my desire to be a teacher and to teach in a Title 1 school.
This is not my first online class. I have had many, many online classes. My Masters is from the University of West Alabama. I took all my graduate classes online including my comps. Several of my classes at Athens were online, but I agree with Ms. Miller that you cannot replace face to face teaching, especially in method and math classes.
My strategy for this online class is mainly to stay up to date!! :) I have a very hetic life. I continue to do bookeeping for two private corporations and have to go into the office every Tuesday and Wednesday evening. I attend church on Wednesday as well, so I usually do not walk through my own front door until 8:30 p.m. I am an active participant in my daughter and grandchildren's lives, so there is always homework to check, recitals to attend, PTA meetings to go to etc. etc. etc. When you add taking care of 5 horses and 1 donkey, 3 dogs and 3 cats, getting the hay in, cutting the pasture, mucking out the barn, rotating the fields.....I stay busy.
This is my first book study and I look forward to it. I've read the book, but now I am going through it and actually digesting it.
I'm Kathy Johnson, an itinerant art teacher. McDonnell is my home school. I teach art at Morris and special needs at AAA. I've taught art in the Huntsville City schools for 21 years. I've taught art in 2 independent schools in the Huntsville Area. I've also taught art classes with the Huntsville Art League and Huntsville Museum of Art. My husband and I have been married for 36 years. I have one son who is the father of my granddaughter. They live in Kennesaw, Georgia. I'm originally from Monroe County, Mississippi, and attended art school at Mississippi University for Women, fondly known as The 'W'.
ReplyDeleteThis online book study is a first for me. I can identify with the book because I feel sometimes that I teach assembly line art classes. I have problems remembering the 800 students' names. I would like to know the students like the classroom teachers do but there isn't time in the day. This one of the reasons I enjoy breakfast duty. I get to interact with the students outside of class.
My name is Shelia Crutcher-Stewart and I teach second grade. I'm from the "Rocket City" and home of the "Alabama A&M Bulldogs," Huntsville, AL. I
ReplyDeleteI began my teaching career in 1993 and have taught grades 1-8 in two states, Tennessee and now Alabama. I earned my B.S. in Elementary Education, Alabama A&M University, Master's in Educational Leadership, Trevecca Nazerene University, and Ed.S in Administration & Supervision, Tennessee State University.
I enjoy teaching, working, and sharing with students. One of my goals is to make students feel valued and respected. I've found that when students do feel these traits, they seem to work hard to do their best at whatever they do.
I'm married to Kelvin and have two boys. Lorenzo-Rashad 2yrs. old and Ja'Kel 1yr. old.
This is my first online course and I'm looking forward to a new experience. I've read the book and enjoyed reading the about school, teachers,and administrators from the students' perspectives. This is good tool for me to keep refining areas I need to strengthen.
My name is Danielle Keith, I am currently the new Pre-K teacher at McDonnell Elementary School. I have two childern who both at one time attend McDonnell Elementary. I got started out late and am working hard in order to get myself on track. I do love working at this school and with the facility and staff here.
ReplyDeleteThis will be my first online course and I hope to enjoy it, as well as learn from the new experince.
I have read the book and find the parts about the students to be very interesting. I do agree with a lot of with the students have to say in the book. Having children of my owe, I do get to see some of the things the students in the book were talking about. In fact an experince that I had with my son in elementary school is what lead me to go into the field of education.
AWESOME Intro's! I love the fact that you guys are eager to see what your co-workers think! I do remember as a teacher, adult conversation was something I craved! Also to work with other teachers and to get their knowledge was always Awesome! I am excited from the thought of the future conversation, wonderful discussion, thought, and honesty that will come from this book study!
ReplyDeleteThe Others consist of the Resource Teachers: Ms. Lorie Creighton, Speech Pathologist; Ms. Ella Monico, K-3 Collaborative, and Ms. Kenshia Reedus, 4-5 Collaborative. Between the three of us, we have 67 years of experience in our field. Our background in Special Needs gives us the ability to establish a good rapport with both students and parents.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Davita Hurt and this is my fourth year at McDonnell Elementary as a Kindergarten teacher. I enjoy teaching at this school because I have had some great experiences with students, faculty, and staff. I have a supportive principal who allows his teachers to be creative and flexible in our teaching methods. I have been teaching for fifteen years and I have taught grades K, 1st, 3rd, and 6th.
ReplyDeleteThis will be my first online book study and I too am interested in sharing ideas and thoughts with my colleagues. My strategy for maintaining this course of study is to discuss with my team their point of view during our weekly meetings and to be open minded when listening to feedback and comments.
I am very proud to learn and know that I am working alongside a group of professionals that are willing to go the distance to make McDonnell Elementary the best school in Huntsville. I can appreciate the comment made by our art teacher, Mrs. Johnson that she feels like an “assembly line teacher” because even as an homeroom teacher it is impossible to know every detail of my student’s life outside of the school building. It is hard to differentiate instruction when you are teaching to the masses. I'm afraid that one of my kids will slip through the cracks and I will miss impacting their lives in a positive way.
Hi, my name is Zunilda Rodriguez and I'm a kindergarten teacher at McDonnell. I just graduated from Stillman College, so this is my first year teaching. I'm so blessed to be at McDonnell because there are so many great people I work with that make me feel welcomed and are always willing to help me. I enjoy being a kindergarten teacher and I'm looking forward to having many more years ahead. Also, as a first year teacher, I'm constantly learning new things everyday, so this online course will be a good learning experience. I would like to continue my education and get my master's in Elementary Education after I get through my first year of teaching. New Jersey is where I'm originally from and making this big move to Huntsville was the easiest decision to make because I'm doing what I want to do, which is teach and I'm finally starting to feel at home.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Phineas Williams and I am the physical education teacher at McDonnell elementary.I am from Birmingham, Al.I received my bachlor's degree from Alabama A&M and I'm still working on my masters.I have been working at McDonnell for the last 3 years. I really enjoy working with everyone at my school and love working with the kids. I enjoy educating the kids and I wouldn't trade this job for anything
ReplyDeleteHello, I am Melanie Rice. I teach kindergarten at McDonnell Elementary. I have taught kindergarten for 12 years and I love it. I received my bachlor's degree from UAH in 1984. I have taken a couple of on line classes through elearning for educators.
ReplyDeleteI have been married for 7 years and live in the neighborhood where I teach. I don't have children but I have a dog and two cats.
My strategy for this class is to read the chapters, take in the material and share my thoughts with the other teachers and learn from their insights into the book.
My name is Janibell Hernández. I am the Instructional Assistant for Pre-K. Even though I was born in Springfield, MA I have spent most of my life in Puerto Rico. I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla in 2007. My degree is in English as Second Language with Multimedia Technology. I am a certified teacher in Puerto Rico. I am in the process of becoming a certified teacher here, in AL. Hopefully by the end of this school year I will have it all taken care of. I love to teach, I love my babies and can't wait to have my own classroom someday.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first online bookstudy. I am excited about it! I am thinking about going back to college to get my masters, so this bookstudy is my first step towards that goal.
My name is Ann Brady and this is my 29th year of teaching. I am currently an ELL teacher and serve the second, third, fourth and fifth grades. The students range from those who speak fluently and just need a little help to those who speak no English and are learning something new every day.
ReplyDeleteI have taught 3rd, 4th, and 6th grade, been a curriculum specialist, and am now teaching ELL. I have a Master's degree as a Reading Specialist and 28+ hours as a Reading Recovery Teacher leader. If I didn't enjoy teaching I would not have stayed in this profession. The work load and demands are very different today than when I first started teaching.
I've been married for 37 years, have 2 married children and 2 wonderful grandchildren who live next door.
I enjoy book studies and am currently involved in another study with the other ELL teachers in our system. Hopefully I will keep them separate.
My name is Debbie Krueger. I have been teaching for 16 years and have taught fifth grade for all that time. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (when the Braves were the MILWAUKEE BRAVES), but being a Navy brat, I traveled around a lot. I received my Bachelor's degree from Athens State in 1993 (I had started out at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Univ. of Nevada-Reno, but took time out for a family.) I ended up marrying a Navy man, so I did more travel. I did volunteer work in my children's elementary schools in their classrooms when they were in school, but then stayed on after that at the request of their teachers. I worked with small groups and in an ELL capacity for a total of 13 years. (So I guess you could actually say I have worked in teaching for 29 years.)
ReplyDeleteI have loved my time at McDonnell, and love being with the fifth graders.
I am involved in THiT (Teachers are Historians in Training) as part of a 4 year grant. We are learning ways to make Social Studies (American History) more relevant by new and innovative ways.
Hello. My name is Diana Carroll. I was born and raised in Oakland,CA. I moved to Huntsville in 1992 to attend Alabama A&M University. I earned my B.A. Degree in Sociology and a Master's in Elementary Education. This is my 7th year teaching 5th grade at McDonnell Elementary. I worked as a substitute teacher for Huntsville and Decatur City Schools for 2 years. I enjoy working at McDonnell because of its friendliness, diversity, and great principal. This is my first online course. My stategy is mainly interraction. I hope to use the information that I've learned in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Harvey Knotts and I am a 4th grade teacher at McDonnell Elementary. I am from Virginia Beach, Virginia and have been apart of the Huntsville school system since 2007. I thoroughly enjoy and value the noble profession of teaching, and consider it both an honor and privilege to contribute to the world’s greatest resource – the children.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Angela Davis. I was born and raised in Jacksonville,Florida. I currently reside in Madison, Alabama. I have been married for 26 years. I am the mother of one son. I once taught in a school where there were 1500 elementary students. I am excited about working in a small school. This has allowed me an opportunity to work very closely with the students and staff. I love working at McDonnell.
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Tracy Yeldell. I was born and raised in LA (Lower Alabama) Atmore, AL. Atmore is about 45 minutes from Mobile, AL.
ReplyDeleteI received my Bachelors degree from Alabama A&M University in Social Work. I continued to pursue my Masters degree in Elementary Education from Alabama A&M University.
This is my seventh year teaching third grade at McDonnell Elementary. My experiences with pursuing my Social Work degree along with my Elementary Education degree taught me valuable lessons about children about how they grow and mature tied with how they are an individual in the classroom, they do want to learn, and basically I may be the closest person that some of them feel "takes care of them."
I do not consider each school year as just "another school year." I am their to do a job and it is not about me, money, administration, but about them.
I am married to Henry Yeldell. We have to wonderful daughters. We will also be blessed with a third baby girl any day now.
I miss my students and co-workers. Thanks to our wonderful principal for being there for the students and his faculty and staff. After all - It is about the students at McDonnell Elementary.
My name is Amena Dixon and I currently work at McDonnell Elementary as a second grade teacher. I have been with the "Busy Bee" family since Fall 2001.
ReplyDeleteI am originally from Childersburg, AL (30 miles south of Birmingham).
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Education degree from
Alabama A & M University.
I am married to Hovet Dixon who is also a former Bulldog and educator/administrator.
We have two daughters (Amaya, 8; Ashlyn, 7) and 1 son (Trey, 16 months) that keep our household filled with joy and laughter.
This is also my first online course as many of my colleagues have stated in their intro's.
I am very excited about this book study and I hope to gain great knowledge from it to keep me informed of today's trends and issues to better the future of our next generation.
Hello! I am Katrena Flores. I am currently a Kindergarten teacher at McDonnell Elementary.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Sonya Jones-Thomas. I am currently a third grade teacher at McDonnell Elementary School who is enjoying every moment in the classroom. I have been an employee of the Huntsville City School System for fourteen years and have always been assigned to a Title I school. This is my first year at McDonnell Elementary. My first job experience was at the middle school level. The famous Stone Middle School is where my love for teaching began as an aide for Special Education. My experiences at Rolling Hills Elementary encouraged my heart to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. My job title at Rolling Hills Elementary was Computer Lab Technician; however, I did a list of other duties. These wonderful experiences have molded me into a flexible teacher. I clearly understand my role as a teacher, daytime mom, and being a pair of listening ears for my students. It has been very rewarding to find that I am reuniting with students who attended Stone Middle school who are now parents of children currently attending McDonnell Elementary.
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a B.S in Elementary Education and currently pursuing a Master’s in Special Education K-6 with an expected graduation date in May 2010. Special education is my first love in the field of education. For me there is no greater joy than working with students with disabilities; they truly speak to a teacher’s heart.
I am the proud mother of three beautiful children Jeremy, Alexis and Lakey who are my greatest gifts. I feel privileged to be their mom. Their daily encouragement and love for school has helped me become a more patient and understanding person. Jeremy is presently enrolled at Jacksonville State University. Alexis is a graduating honor roll Senior at Lee High School. Lakey is a sixth grader attending AAA and truly enjoys being a kid.
My name is La Tisha Jones and I am transitioning from first grade to Curriculum Specilaist here at McDonnell. I have eleven years of teaching experience and have enjoyed every year of it.
ReplyDeleteMy hometown is Birmingham and I have lived in Huntsville for fifteen years. I earned a B.S and M.S from Alabama A&M University in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and an Ed.S from Tennessee State in Administration and Supervision.
I have been married for eight years and we have a son who turned one in September. We cherish the time we spend together because from what I have been told "they don't stay babies forever."
This is my first online course and I am ready for the experience.
My name is Colette Carnes. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. GO BENGALS!! LOL I moved to Alabama in 2004. I am an Alumni of Alabama A&M University! YAY GO BULLDOGS! Ms Walton was actually one of my professors. I am married to my college sweetheart and have a 1 year old son. I recently just bought my first home! God is so great and faithful!!!! This is my first year teaching and I am enjoying it and soaking up all the knowledge that I can. I am currently in graduate school pursuing a Masters online in Educational Management. I am enjoying it as well.
ReplyDeleteHello! My name is Erica Elledge. I have been teaching at McDonnell Elementary since 2007. My first year at MES was spent as the ELL/Intervention teacher. Last year, I taught Kindergarten and now I am in second grade. Second grade is my calling. I love my students! Before coming to MES, I worked at Sylvan Learning Center for 2 years. I graduated from Athens State with my Bachelor of Science degree and will be beginning my Masters degree in the Spring of 2010. I have been working with elementary students since my Sophomore year of high school. From the first time I worked with children, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I also knew that I would have a career that I loved, and I would never become bored with!
ReplyDeleteHi! I am Kandi Vaughan. I teach gifted/talented at McDonnell Elementary and Lakewood Elementary. This is my first year at these two schools, but this is my third year to teach gifted. I LOVE it! I have also taught gifted in Madison County at New Hope and Gurley. I was a strategic reading teacher and computer teacher at Guntersville Elementary School. I graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2000, then started graduate school in 2001. I live in Albertville, which is where I graduated high school. My husband's name is Michael and we have been married for 15 years. I have a daughter, Morgan, who is 14 years old and started high school this year in Guntersville.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Laura Blevins. I will have completed 25 years of teaching as of this January. I love teaching ESL. The students are so cheerful and truly want to learn. I have previously taught Elementary Art and Kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteMy husband's name is Bob. We do most things together,a real team. I am a Huntsville native. My father retired from NASA. My sister currently works at NASA. My brother works for the government in Washington. My mother is deceased.
I have three dogs- Carlo,an eastern european german shepherd, Silke, a dachshund, and Baby Cakes, a rat terrier/jack russel mix. They are spoiled rotten.
Laura Blevins
Hello My name is TaLeshay Jones, I am from Tuscaloosa, AL. This is not my first online course I actually obtained my Master's Degree from an online Program at UWA. I am currently working on my EDS through the same program.
ReplyDelete