I am eager to join the NCSA team as a second-grade teacher this year! I have worked in education in Nevada County for several years, mainly in special education programs. I received my Multiple Subject and Education Specialist teaching credentials from CSU Chico in 2025. I also studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. I spent many summers guiding whitewater river rafting trips around California and in the Grand Canyon. I love plants, animals and learning about nature through exploration. I look forward to integrating my formal education and my varied experiences into my teaching to empower students in their learning. Our second grade class is a lot like a river trip…we will work as a team, create a safe environment, treat one another with respect, and have boatloads of fun!
As a teacher, I seek to meet the needs of all learners by creating an equitable and respectful classroom environment. This looks like students communicating ideas with peers, using learning tools with independence, collaborating to solve problems, and advocating for their needs. Student autonomy, community building, compassion and mindfulness are pillars of my classroom culture. Students will have supported opportunities to practice problem solving with peers, self-awareness, self-regulation and communication. I strive to give each student the tools they need to be successful learners, while giving them room to be their unique self. I can’t wait to see how we grow together this year!
“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Dolly Parton
While there is a strong academic focus in second grade, we also place a great emphasis on developing a strong social-emotional well-being. We use Positive Discipline and the Mindful Schools curriculum to support NCSA students in becoming their best selves. Using mindfulness will help ground our class, help us to rise to meet expectations, and be as hardworking, engaged, communicative, collaborative, and productive as possible. We will hold class meetings, learn through discovery and inquiry both out and indoors, and create a learning environment that is safe, kind, responsible, and respectful towards all.
During the first month of school, we will be focusing on building our classroom community and what it means to be and embody the behavior of a second grader. We will create classroom expectations, build upon and learn new routines, and get to know one another. It’s my goal that all of my students learn in an environment where everybody feels safe, respected, like those around them are acting responsibly, and all are treated with kindness. I am truly looking forward to this school year, and cannot wait to have fun, work hard, and create together!
2nd Grade Overview
Enrichment Activities:
● Two classes a week with our art specialist
● One class a week with our movement specialist
● One class a week with our music specialist
Units of Study:
Character Traits
Environmental, Physical, and Earth Sciences
Multicultural Stories, a play/performance
Writing: informative, opinion, narrative
Mathematics: number and operations, algebraic thinking, money, time, measurement, geometry
Plus LOTS of fun, games, social-emotional development, and time fostering friendship, strengths, and curiosities. Let the learning begin!
Curriculums:
● SFUSD Math
● iReady Math Online Program
● Social Curriculum –Positive Discipline
● Mindfulness from Mindful Schools
● Mystery Science
● Orton-Gillingham; multi-sensory approach for phonics