All About Me!
- Born November 28, in Santa Barbara, California
- Married to David, 14 years of wedded bliss
- Have two beautiful daughters, Kelsey & Abbey
- Attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
- B.A. - English, Minor in Psychology
- CA, FL, NC Teaching Certificate-Elementary Education
- Trained in Reading Recovery and Cross-Cultural Language Development
- Taught for 13 years, 2007-2008 makes 14.
- Taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade.
- Have taught in San Luis Obispo, CA, for San Luis Coast Unified School District
- Taught in Gainesville, FL at P.K. Yonge Developmental
- Research School, College of Education, University of Florida
- Served as Literacy Trainer, Beginnning Teacher Mentor and Everyday Math Coordinator
- Math & Literacy lessons published online at www.jmeacham.com and www.readinglady.com.
- Workshop presenter for K-2 Reading Comprehension and K-2 Phonological Awareness and Phonics for the Florida Reading Initiative
- Featured in literacy videos on Running Records and Guided Reading
- Conference presenter at the Florida Educational Technology Conference in Orlando, Florida
- Conference presenter at the National Association of Lab Schools at Columbia University in NYC
- Reciprocal Teaching co-presenter at a Florida reading workshop, January Jamboree
- Teacher mentor & cooperating teacher for University of Florida College of Education
- Classroom host for NEFEC, Literacy Research in Action
- Developed and facilitated math and literacy workshops for parents and teachers
- Part of three science grants for the co-development of outdoor science education including a Toyota Tapestry grant, Creek School: A Day of Learning in Our Own Schoolyard
- Writer's Workshop model teacher
- Guest speaker at NC State, Technology & Literacy Instruction
- Site representative on the WCPSS Literacy Committee
- SST, Student Study Team, K-1 Representative
- PLC Team Leader
- ROARing Staff Award, November '07
- Classroom Host for NC Teacher Visitors
Scroll down to read my Teaching & Learning Philosophy
My Favorites
- Favorite Thing to Do: Spending time with my wonderful family, going on walks and picnics, going swimming and laughing
- Next Favorite: Beading, Scrapbooking, Knitting
- Favorite Sport: Watching Gator Football
- Favorite Food: Mexican (with yellow cheddar!)
- Favorite Morning Stop: Starbucks - caramel machiatto :-)
- Favorite Store: Target
- Favorite Classroom Item: 3M Sticky Back Chart Paper & Scented Mr. Sketch Markers
- Favorite Place to Visit: New York City
- Favorite Color: Pink
- Favorite Stuff: Paper, Glass Beads, Shoes, and Vera Bags
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Bagels and Cream Cheese
- Favorite Lunch: Salad
- Favorite Dinner: Carabba's Restaurant
My Teaching & Learning Philosophy
I believe the essence of teaching is about creating meaningful learning experiences for every child, which emphasize:
- children's active participation in their learning, they should be able to talk with peers and make choices based on personal interest to them.
- teaching meaningful and important lessons that are relevant and essential to high performing student achievement.
- curriculum content and teaching strategies that consider the developmental stage of each child, their learning style, their current academic level, diverse background and their individual schema of the world.
- working collaboratively with my grade level team members to provide intervention and enrichment to all first grade students.
- the regular use of technology to showcase our work, publish student writing and create a purpose/audience for our learning.
- consistent and on-going assessment of student progress.
There are many resources and systems in place at Swift Creek Elementary to accomplish my teaching and learning philosophy: our own classroom community, meaningful, important classroom lessons, parent connection and communication, resources in the community and on the Internet, and my own continued learning and on-going professional development.
