Dear Parent(s) or Guardian (s),

Welcome to John L. Golden Elementary! It is such a blessing to be teaching in the Etiwanda School District. I am very proud to be part of a school so dedicated and driven to meeting the social, emotional and educational needs of all children. I am grateful to return as a Golden star, equally honored to be your child’s teacher and looking forward to yet another wonderful school year. Together, as a team, we can reach for the STARS!

I knew I wanted to be an early childhood teacher since I was only five years old myself. When not running track or playing basketball, my teen years were spent tutoring peers and assisting in kindergarten. During college, I taught in the local preschool. As a young adult, I worked as an art teacher and nanny. I absolutely adore children and equally LOVE molding and teaching them!

Occasionally, “Ya’ll” may hear my southern accent. I was born in Mississippi and graduated with honors from Mississippi State University earning an elementary education (K-12) degree. In 1990, I began my teaching career in Key West, Florida. There I added an Early Childhood (PK-3) credential and completed Early Childhood Special Education graduate hours at Florida State University. My husband’s regional director’s job relocated us to California in 2000. I hold a clear California credential and am one class from a Masters in Reading and Language Arts. Over the years, I have taught general and special education preschool and our district’s C.L.O.U.D.S. inclusion program, as well as general education kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

I chose teaching because of an innate love of children and dedicated desire to guide them towards reaching their full potential. It is my wish to empower your child beyond their perceived potential, by providing ample opportunities for them to construct knowledge, while actively involving them in various hands on activities. Believing children are emergent thinkers’ whose ideas, experiences and opinions are valuable, I creatively teach embracing each child's unique individuality, challenging their inquisitive minds and encouraging their endless imagination. My educational philosophy is modeled after Vygotsky’s “I do, We do, They do.” Rather than merely disseminate facts, I facilitate meaningful learning by teaching children "How to think, not what to think!"

Teachers realize we have the joy of your life in our hands and assure you we will take great care of them. My main goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning. I strive to provide a safe, nurturing and happy learning environment. Our room is a hands-on, child centered place where not only the individual academic needs of each child are met, but also their social, emotional and physical needs. Your child will learn reading, writing, spelling, math, art, science, and social studies in both large and small group settings, 1:6 center-based groups, as well as 1:4 universal access small groups or 1:1 individualized challenge or support interventions as necessary throughout the year.

I firmly believe parents are their child’s primary educator and teachers are merely an extension of the foundation you have already established at home. By working together as a team, we can make this year a great learning experience where every child experiences success. I am eagerly looking forward to not only positively impacting your child’s life, but also growing as a teacher from the joy and colorful experiences I know they will certainly bring into my life. Welcome to first grade. I cannot wait to meet you and your precious children!