Wondering where I get my ideas for teaching and learning? Just click below on some of the links and read a brief summary on each philosophy, and I also have some links below to important things to me outside of school.

Great Expectations    My dogs    Harry Wong    Education    Essential 55      Myth of Laziness      Ministry      Geek      

See the page of my other children...my dogs!

Here is a list of some of my favorite things:
1. Coffee, give me a cafe' mocha from Starbucks and I am your best friend, but the truth is I love coffee so much that I can't wait to wake up and have a hot cup of joe and some conversation every day.
2. Vanilla Diet Coke, and peach iced tea.....Sonic anyone?
3. Star Gazer Lilies, something about these flowers just gives me peace.
4. Raisenetts, Skittles, and Reece's Pieces are some of the candies that I crave.
5. No fancy food for me, burgers, fries, and fried chicken are the only kinds of foods that I enjoy going out to dinner to order. 

Ministry
 So what is up with all of the frogs? Well that idea comes from a poster I purchased that had the acronym on it that said F.R.O.G. which actually stands for "Fully Rely On God." Jesus Christ is the center of our lives and we love to share about the free gift that he offers to each His mercy and grace are new everyday. Billy and I are both very active in our church, serving God together day by day. One of the things that I am an avid collector of is Christian art painted by Ron Dicianni, not only are his paintings inspirational but they are extremely beautiful. This is a copy of the print that we have on our mantle in our living room. It is a great reminder for us as a family of just how wonderful and mighty our heavenly father is to us everyday.

 

 

Education
So where did I receive my education? Let's start from the beginning, my educational career began in Tonkawa Oklahoma.  I then moved to Edmond and attended the University of Central Oklahoma where I graduated with honors with my degree, a Bachelor of Science in Education. I started teaching right after graduation and have been in the classroom teaching for Edmond Public Schools until this year. This year I decided to leave the classroom and enter the Library Media Center as a Media Specialist for Oklahoma City Public Schools.  Teaching is a calling for me, and from the day I could walk and talk I knew that I was going to be a teacher, so this was a difficult decision and a huge risk for me to take.  I am currently working on my Master's Degree in Library Media Science at U.C.O. and am graduating this summer! I am also working online and taking classes at Francis Tuttle in the field of Technology! Whew!

Philosophy of Education
Click the pictures below and you can access some great resources and get more information on my beliefs and on educating the worlds greatest treasures, our public school children.

Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a professional development program that provides teachers and administrators with the skills needed to create harmony and excitement within the school atmosphere, elements that are basic for inspiring students to pursue academic excellence.  Great Expectations creates an infrastructure that promotes improved student self-esteem, attendance, discipline, and parent participation - all of which result in improved academic achievement.  Drawing from many learning theories, professional development is grounded in the belief that all students can learn, no matter what labels have been placed on them. Rather than teaching WHAT to teach, Great Expectations methodology focuses on the learning climate and the HOW of teaching.  Great Expectations teachers understand it is their responsibility to reach every student. Building self-esteem and motivation is the key to helping students believe they are capable of learning.  Great Expectations teachers set high expectations for students, and they inspire and motivate students to reach upward to attain them. A climate of mutual respect is established that empowers students to take necessary risks to grow academically, and to be willing to make a few mistakes in order to do so. Mistakes are regarded as opportunities to learn in a Great Expectations classroom, and students' ideas and efforts are valued and appreciated.  Great Expectations teachers are facilitators of learning who encourage and believe in their students. They are caring, but require excellence in every detail. They provide an atmosphere of constant praise and affirmation. They teach mastery level and beyond by encouraging students to use their imaginative and creative abilities. Great Expectations follows basic tenants, click on the link below to read these tenants and also the research that supports these ideas.  TENANTS Click on the link in the upper left hand corner for more information about this philosophy.
 

The Essential 55
 Manners, Respect and Discipline are the cornerstones of success in Ron Clark's classroom. In his first book, The Essential 55, he shares the secrets of that success. Disney Teacher of the Year, Ron Clark has the uncanny ability to instill fun and adventure into every learning opportunity. Daily he shares with his students an unbridled curiosity about the world! However at the start of their journey together, Ron conveys to the class the 55 essential expectations that he has for them. For example, he instructs them in how to give a firm handshake, look people in the eye, and eat properly using the rules of etiquette. His classes learn to respect themselves and others. Chart busting academic scores have been the result for his classes of low performing students from North Carolina to New York City. In The Essential 55 Mr. Clark provides guidelines for living both inside and outside the classroom. He exhorts young and old alike to embrace each day with heart and vigor, appreciate and encourage others and challenge themselves to achieve their potential. Read how Ron Clark convinces his students to seek lives of abundant adventure and fulfillment. I highly recommend this extraordinary book! Click on the picture of the Essential 55 book in the upper left hand corner for more information on this awesome book.
 

Harry Wong
This is the preeminent book on classroom management and lesson mastery. The book walks a teacher, either novice or veteran, through the most effective ways to begin a school year and continue to become an effective teacher. This is the most basic book on how to teach. Every teacher and administrator needs to have a copy! Click on the picture of the book on the left and read more about Harry Wong and his awesome book.

The Myth of Laziness
 The Schools Attuned Program is designed to reflect the most current, research-based principles of the type of professional development that changes teaching practice and has a positive impact on student outcomes. The primary focus of the Schools Attuned Program is to put knowledge to use in the service of improving student learning. It is taught through a constructivist approach to adult learning, where new information is acquired and processed within a framework of existing knowledge. During the core course, educators learn how to enhance their professional teaching practice through reflection, feedback, analytical work and use of technology, which will aid in the implementation process. Laziness is not an innate trait. We all are born with a drive to produce, and like saplings growing in an orchard, we have within us the resources to bear fruit, to be and to feel useful and effective. Most of our own success and that of our children is experienced and demonstrated through accomplishments, the attainments of our heads and our hands, the sum total of our school, family, and career contributions. From early in childhood on through our adult years, we want to show what we can do. We gain energy and feel good about ourselves whenever our personal output wins the approval, the acceptance, the respect of our friends, our families, our bosses (or teachers), and, most of all, our own self-critical selves. To feel fulfilled in life, it helps immeasurably if you can take pride in your work. To read more on this book and Dr. Mel Lavine please click on the picture of the book up in the upper left hand corner.
 

Geek
 I found this little picture on the internet and had to laugh because this is so me. I love to work on computers and with new and awesome technology.

 

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