SunnyDays

I've been teaching for 25 years. I started out as a 5th grade drop-out prevention teacher and I am currently teaching 2nd grade gifted students. In between, I also taught 3rd and 4th grade, was the Drop-out prevention resource specialist, and taught writing as a special. I value each of my different experiences so much because they have really given me a unique perspective of the needs of so many different teachers and students.

I have found that meeting the needs of struggling students and advanced students really require some of the same things. Hands-on, engaging lessons that motivate and challenge without causing frustration. I think every classroom presents unique challenges and great teachers find ways to bring learning to life in the the way that best meets the needs of their students. For that reason, I consider myself an eclectic; I'll use whatever works!

1995 Knight-Ridder Crystal Apple Teacher of the Year• 2004 National Board Certification (Middle Childhood Generalist)• 2004 NBCT School Based Lead Teacher• 2010 Gator Run Teacher of the Year, Weston, Florida• *5 time Teacher of the Year nominee• Instructional Coach trainer for Broward County, Florida• Certified trainer for Florida Clinical Educator Program• Teacher Consultant/Trainer: National Writing Project, SFWP• Certification in Project CRISS• Certificate of Curriculum and Instruction of a Discipline Center, FIU• Coalition of Essential Schools facilitator • Staff based instructional trainer: writing, high-yield strategies, literacy activities, small group activities, teacher website creation, SMARTboard use & lesson creation, literature circles• You name it, I've probably done it...

BS Elementary Education, 1994 Gifted endorsement ESOL endorsement National Board Certification Master's coursework halfway completed!

Blissfully married to another elementary ed teacher, who also happens to be the technology liaison and computer science teacher. It's really nice living with my own personal Mac genius! :P