One of the difficult aspects of an online class is trying to get to know each other. As such, I would like for you to provide a short description about yourself. Describe what you do when you are not teaching, including any hobbies you might have. Also, let me know what you teach and what you hope to get out of this class.
My name is Shunta` Cooper. I just completed my 1st year teaching. (Yay!) I will be teaching first grade this upcoming school year. I graduated from Georgia State last May with my BA in Early Childhood. I am currently enrolled in the MA Gifted Program. I am looking forward to learning how to engage and meet the needs of each student.
ReplyDeleteOutside of school I enjoy going to the movies. I have a seven year old daughter (just turned 7 this past Thursday) who is very active. She takes swimming lessons, gymnastics classes, and just recently made the competition cheer team. I also have a two year old nephew (just turned 2 this past Wednesday) who is, well he is two so he is a handful. His mother is in the navy and is currently on deployment so he is staying with us until her return. I am a very active member at my church. I am a children's ministry teacher, on the praise team, and hospitality team. I am excited about the new changes and overall just hoping I did not take on more than I can handle.
Hoping for a speedy return for your sister!
DeleteCongratulations on your first year of teaching!
DeleteI'll be in 1st next year too! Maybe we can bounce ideas off each other!
DeleteCongratulations on your first teaching job! I can't wait to get mine.
DeleteWow, 17 years! What have you found to be the biggest difference from general ed to gifted?
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ReplyDeleteI am Kara Godwin. I just finished my eighth year teaching. I have taught second, third, fourth, and fifth grades in the regular classroom. In January, I moved into my dream job- teaching fifth/sixth grade gifted students in a pull-out/enrichment program. In addition, I coordinate the peer helper program for my school, co-sponsor National Elementary Honor Society, and coach middle school cheerleading. I am hoping to gain a better understanding of ways to individualize instruction for the students in my program.
ReplyDeleteI have a ten-year old dancing diva and a four-year old soccer and baseball player. My favorite place to be is on the sand somewhere (I live in Baldwin County). I love to read, run, and go to the movies...although I do not have nearly enough time for any of those things!
What kind of school do you work at, traditional, charter, private? It's just seeing 5th and 6th together is different than I am use to here is Ga.
DeleteGood luck this summer in your class(es.) It looks like you have a lot of great things going on in your life.
DeleteWe have some of the same hobbies. I never seem to find time for them either. Let me know if you have any interesting books to recommend!
DeleteShunta- I pull my 5th and 6th graders at different times. Right now, I serve 72 total, so they are split into classes of 15-18. :)
DeleteMy name is Kara Ibrahim. I have been a Special Education Aide, 1st and 3rd grade classroom teacher, and a gifted teacher. I just completed my first year as a gifted teacher. I really enjoyed the diversity of it from the classroom. I received my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Athens State University. I am really looking forward to taking this class. My goal for this class is to get ideas on how to better differentiate for all students in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI live in Cullman County. My husband and I have been married for a little over two years. We have three German Shepherds and one cat. We enjoy going to the beach, being with friends and family, and relaxing at home.
Good luck this summer with teaching summer school and taking two classes! I know that you will be busy!
ReplyDeleteWow - this is a great collection of students. I am impressed with the diverse backgrounds. I can tell that y'all will bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to this course. I'm thrilled - please do not hesitate to digest the content through your own professional lens and describe your thoughts accordingly. This will be a great summer.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Kelsey Burkhalter. I have been a teacher in Tuscaloosa for 4 years. I started in 3rd grade and moved to 1st, then spent 2 years in 4th grade. I recently got a new job and will be teaching 1st grade. I am really looking forward to learning more about differentiation in this class because I will be working without a set curriculum at my new school. I believe this class will help me make better decisions with my instruction in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteOutside of school I stay busy with my 2 year old miniature Aussie and my photography hobby. I also love traveling and exploring new hobbies.
Good luck in your new classroom. I did my student teaching in 4th grade and loved that age group.
DeleteSounds like you will have a busy summer, but I hope July offers some time for relaxation!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Michelle Burr. I am not currently teaching in a classroom. I work at the University of Alabama in the Special Detail Services department. I graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2009. I am taking 2 classes this semester to continue my teaching certificate. During my practicum and student teaching, I was always drawn to the slower learners so I am looking forward to learning how to work with the gifted students during this class.
ReplyDeleteI am divorced and am raising 3 children. The oldest is 20 and we are in the process of planning a wedding for November. My middle child is 15 and plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. She is playing travel ball this summer. My youngest child is 13 and he loves football and fishing. He is on the fishing team at school and he and his partner ended the season ranked 16th in the Alabama High School BASS nation. We live with my Mother who has dementia. I am very busy but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Dollene,
ReplyDeleteI do not see the same students each day of the week. I am able to work with all grade levels and all teachers. I have been able to know the people I work with better through being all over the school. I also have been able to learn about all grade levels K-5. I will begin working with PK students this coming school year. I was at three schools this past school year so I was able to see the cultural differences.
My name is Nellie Christian, and, as of this fall, I will be a Gifted Specialist for the Tuscaloosa City School System. I spent the first part of my career in higher education, working in the community college setting. I found the two-year system a wonderful place to learn and grow as a person as well as impact the lives of the community in which I live, however, it was during one of the many opportunities I had to participate in campus outreach with the K-12 system that I rediscovered why I got into education in the first place. I love to teach. My background is in athletics and coaching, and bringing this same mentality to the classroom is what I strive to do every day with my students. I hope to "coach" them on more than just the themes running throughout academia; I hope to make a difference in their journey of life. I am looking forward to this next chapter in my life as I have the privilege of using the Gifted Classroom to impact the lives of the next generation.
ReplyDeleteI am married and have four kids, three girls (ages 14, 12, and 9) and one boy (age 7). We are a very busy family. My husband played football at the University of Alabama, and I played soccer here as well. This love of sports and the Crimson Tide runs deep as we seem to be continually engaged in some sort of UA or outdoor activity. With the little downtime I do have, I enjoy running, playing soccer, and Spartan Races. I also LOVE the beach.
Having looked ahead for this class, I am eager to become more aware of the differentiation resources that are available, especially for students in grades K-2. I also enjoy learning of the different perspectives that other students bring to any topic – one of the best resources we have is each other. Looking forward to a great class!
Nellie, I agree with your comment about coaching. Having coached and worked with high school students I was amazed to realize the importance of being “coachable”, whether in sports, online classes or holding a job. Since all children aren’t involved in organized sports I believe it is a skill we should be working on in the classroom.
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My name is Leah Hoffpauir, and I have finished up this past year teaching Gifted. I love the program and working with the students. I did two leave of absences within the program in the same county here in Alabama. I decided after being out of school for 16 years, that I would go back myself to become a Gifted Specialist. I am very excited to learn more about differentiation as I get started in becoming a Gifted Specialist.
ReplyDeleteI am married and have two children. I have a daughter in high school and a son in middle school. They keep me very busy with sports and church activities. In my "other" free time, I am a youth leader at church. I also sing in the choir, and I love spending time with my family and extended family. I feel blessed and want to live each day to the fullest.
Hi, I’m Kelly Dunham, and am pursuing the Alternative Special Education M.A., specializing in Gifted and Talented. I intend to teach and advocate for gifted student populations here, in my hometown of Huntsville, AL. My previous homes include Portland, OR and Auburn, AL, where I obtained my bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Fine Art. I’m a licensed cosmetologist and also work as a piano instructor and oil portrait artist (when I have the time and find commissions). In my spare time, I love reading, exploring, running, Crossfit, coaching, writing music on piano/guitar, and creating adventures/projects with my five year old daughter, Vivian.
ReplyDeleteDifferentiation will be an integral element of my role as a special education instructor. From this class, I hope to gain proficiency in selecting and implementing appropriate strategies to meet the needs of my students and to enhance my knowledge base in this subject to the degree that I may develop meaningful and effective pedagogical methods. I’m looking forward to using information gained from SPE 587 to facilitate understanding and communication between myself and the students, parents, and teachers with whom I will soon collaborate.
Have a great semester everyone. Nice to meet you all.
Great to meet you Kelly!!
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ReplyDeleteHi, I’m Sally Campbell, right out of high school I studied accounting at my local community college, realizing that I did not want to sit in an office all day, I took a break and continued working construction. Later I moved to South Florida to take care of my ailing grandmother and fell into a career in law enforcement, EMS, and fire service. When I got my MRS and MOM degrees I knew it was time to find a safer line of work, so when we moved to Alabama I went into education. I just completed my first year of teaching 3rd -6th grade gifted children, prior to that I taught kindergarten, coached HS track, and facilitated ACCESS and Compass classes for HS students, among other things.
ReplyDeleteTraveling with family is what I enjoy most, especially if water is involved. My late-husband and I have one daughter; he had three sons, who have blessed me with three bonus grandchildren. My daughter is a teacher, as was my mother. Some of my other passions include gardening, photography, cooking, as well as building and crafting art projects.
Great to meet you Sally!
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