Model Teachers: 2nd Grade
Meet this model teacher team and learn how college, career and citizen-ready skills come alive in their classrooms!
Ashley Largena
Grade: 2nd Grade
School: Hidenwood Elementary
Years Taught: 7
Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
I am very organized and always looking into new ways of doing things. I love sharing resources and best practices.
What do you love most about teaching?
The AH-HA moments and letting kids know they are loved and cared for and that my classroom is a safe place.
Melissa Ramirez
Grade: 2nd Grade
School: Sanford Elementary
Years Taught: 12
Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
I am passionate about supporting fellow teachers because our profession is extremely rewarding, but it is also extremely challenging with a variety of nuances to navigate each year. We cannot be successful alone, so it is vital to learn and grow from and with others. I am a very transparent person and I enjoy sharing my classroom and my experiences with others and helping them think through and solve the challenges they are facing.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love the opportunity I get to develop a classroom family and watch my students grow and change over the year.
Rebekah Porter
Grade: 2nd Grade
School: General Stanford Elementary
Years Taught: 7
Why are you passionate about supporting fellow teachers?
Teaching is hard! We need to band together and make the load a little easier. We all have new ideas and perspectives...sharing is caring! If I, or someone, can make teaching a little more enjoyable or less stressful, why not do it?!
What do you love most about teaching?
Hanging out with the kids!! I love teaching my students about how their brain works and why we do what we do. I don't have kids of my own, so I tell them they are my school children and just getting to teach them and open their brains to new learning is the best! I love teaching and seeing that aha moment as well!
Samantha Highsmith
Grade: 2nd Grade
School: Jenkins Elementary
Years Taught: 10
What do you love most about teaching?
Creating a safe community for my learners. Everyday we work as a class family to learn.
What word best describes you as a teacher and why?
Learner. I am always learning new things about teaching and about my students. In my experience I have tried lots different things, and I like learning what works and doesn't for me and my students.
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