About the Teacher

As a mom…

degner

This is me (in the middle) with my three daughters; Kaytlin, Aubreyana, and Amberlynn, at one of their recent dance  performances. Kaytlin and Amber were the leads in the musical Mary Poppins; Kaytie played Burt and Amber played Mary.
My girls are now 19, 17, and 14 and come into our classroom from time to time to volunteer and help. My oldest (Amber) is currently studying to become an ASL interpreter (sign language). She started teaching herself by going to the library and checking out ASL books, and then started attending deaf and heard of hearing meet-up groups when she was just 13 years old! My middle daughter (Kaytlin) is in her Senior year of high school, is a nationally ranked rower (took silver last year) and was selected for the Junior National Rowing Team this summer.  She also helps teach dance classes on Saturdays, and competes in Speech competitions.  My youngest (Aubrey) will be starting high school this year, loves music and plays several instruments.

They are all unique and different, as each one of you are!

My goal for you this year is to:

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”  ~ Pamela Vaull Starr

Like your parents, I’m so busy working and raising kids that I rarely have time to relax but when I do have some free time, I like to ski, read and draw!  I started skiing when I was 3, and used to teach skiing when I was in my early 20’s. I have skied some amazing mountains in California, Colorado, and Utah!

 

As a teacher…
I have been an educator for 23 years and a public school teacher for 14 years. I have a multiple subject credential and a BA in Liberal Studies. Additionally I have secondary authorizations in Math, Science, ELA, and Social Science which allow me to teach those subjects in a departmentalized setting through high school. I also have a degree in Social/Behavioral Sciences and a minor in Spanish- I am bilingual but always need to practice to keep up my fluency. I have my English Learner Development Authorizations and am AVID trained. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program to help ensure that all students are college bound.  Before becoming a 2nd grade teacher, I worked in grades 6-8 as an Algebra Teacher, Department Chair, Site Based Math Coach, and a District Grade Level Curriculum/Benchmarks Developer. Later I started helping students by working at the school wide level as a Site Based Data Director, Program Improvement Coach, and Instructional Coach.  I have also spent time over the last several years working a second job as an Adult Ed Computer Instructor,  ESL and GED teacher. Whew! I sure do love teaching, but what I really love is to see students, learning and growing!