This is my fifth year teaching at Maimonides. Prior to teaching at Maimonides, I taught Third Grade at The Pilgrim School in Koreatown and worked at Curtis School where I taught First and Second Grades for three years. In addition, I was the Administrative Assistant to the Academic Dean. As assistant to the Dean, I facilitated communication of school information to faculty and parents, compiled and distributed pertinent information to administration and staff, and helped coordinate events. In addition, I chaperoned the 6th grade Washington D.C. trip, as well as the 3rd grade rock-climbing trip two consecutive years, a testament to my dedication to the school in and outside the classroom.
I interact positively with students and work collaboratively to help them reach their learning potentials. I maintain solid classroom management with a commitment to community values. I establish and maintain professional relationships with parents, teachers and faculty. I have always loved working with children and feel it is extremely important to develop strong parent/teacher relationships. I believe communication between the teacher and parents helps to greatly improve student success in the classroom. In my classroom, I hold the bar high, knowing that all of my students have the potential to reach new heights. I received my Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Leadership Skills from Pepperdine University. I attended C.S.U., Northridge where I received my Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. In my free time I love to travel around the world, absorbing and learning about new cultures. I spend most of my free time at the beach swimming and surfing, cooking and baking with friends and family, doing yoga, and enjoying all different types of cuisine. |
I couldn't be more excited about beginning my fourth year at Maimonides Academy and teaming with Ms. Giss. There is nothing I love more than being surrounded by and working with children. My passion lies in using my knowledge of child development to both create curriculum and to understand each student as an individual. Creating a warm and supportive community in the classroom is my top priority. Only when students feel comfortable and safe can they be open and available to growing and learning new things. I believe in highlighting students’ strengths and offering support for their individual challenges. I try to employ multiple teaching methods to reach all learners- visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. I strive to strike a balance of teaching one-on-one, small groups, and whole class lessons to meet diverse needs. Most importantly, my energy and enthusiasm help illustrate how exciting learning can be. I seek to get kids motivated to learn, work hard, and to achieve their personal best.
I earned my Masters degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from a progressive graduate program called the Bank Street College of Education in NYC. I have been teaching for about ten years mostly in first, fourth, and third grades at private schools both in New York City and Los Angeles. I had dreamed about becoming a teacher from when I was a little girl and my graduate work at Bank Street combined with my fieldwork at the Abraham Joshua Heschel School in Manhattan helped shape the way I teach today. I also taught at The Brooklyn Friends School in Brooklyn NY, and when I moved to Los Angeles with my husband ten years ago, I began teaching at Heschel Day School in Northridge. Each school added to my experience and teaching methodologies. I feel blessed to have found a great home for myself as a professional, as well as for our three girls at Maimonides. I thoroughly look forward to sharing my excitement with both you and your children this year. Here's to a productive and invigorating 2015-16 school year! |