|
|
Shaniece Marie Bates
Second-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Tennessee State University
Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, Central Michigan University
*Gifted Endorsement
Bates has six years of experience teaching second and third grades in DeKalb County schools.
A personal note: I am originally from Brown Deer, Wis., a small suburb of Milwaukee. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jonathan, my daughter Kennedi Elaine and my step-son Jaylen. Other pastimes include cooking, reading, shopping and traveling.
Teaching philosophy: I believe all students can learn and should be engaged in the learning process at all times. I also believe students should be made aware of what is expected of them, and educators should be firm and consistent, but yet nurturing. I believe students should grow academically, socially and emotionally in an atmosphere that is stimulating and adaptive to their diverse needs. Most importantly, I believe the learning process should be a fun and rewarding experience for both the student and the educator.
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/themuseumschool.org/mrs-bates-second-grade-explorers
|
|
|
Christi Brittian
Third-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Middle Level Education, Clayton State University
This is Brittian's first year teaching, and she has a year of pre-service teaching experience in a fifth-grade classroom in Henry County. In addition, she served as an instructional assistant for third and fourth grades at The Museum School during the 2011-2012 year.
A personal note: My husband and I have two amazing daughters, Gracie and Sophie. I enjoy camping, hiking, traveling, and cooking.
Teaching philosophy: My teaching philosophy centers on honoring and respecting each student and his/her unique and individual needs. My goal is to create an atmosphere of trust and compassion so that all students feel confident to take risks and reach their highest potential. I believe learning should always be meaningful and relevant to students' lives. I encourage students to question, problem solve and work together to find solutions and understand other points of view.
Website: http://mrsbrittiansclass.weebly.com/
|
|
|
Cliff Chestnutt
Fifth-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Education, Salisbury University
Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Georgia State University
*Education Specialist, Early Childhood Education, Georgia Southern University
Currently working on a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University
Chestnutt has 12 years of teaching experience, including teaching fourth grade at Sarah Smith Elementary and Cliff Valley School.
A personal note: My wife's name is Taronna and my three-year-old son is Stelin. We have three dogs and one cat. In my spare time, I enjoy anything outside with my son and working out at Crossfit East Decatur.
Teaching philosophy: I believe in creating a student-centered, active, hands-on learning environment in which all students feel comfortable and capable of learning and exploration. I also feel it is important that students develop problem-solving skills in real-world situations, and I challenge them to become life-long learners and independent thinkers.
|
|
|
Amy Delashmit
Kindergarten Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Georgia State University
*Gifted and ESOL Endorsements
Delashmit began her teaching career at The Museum School in 2010 and has experience teaching pre-K through high school as a student teacher at Oakhurst Elementary in Decatur as well as overseas in Mexico at Benemérita Escuela Normal in the city of Xalapa.
A personal note: My family consists of my wonderful husband, Michael, two cats and one dog. We love to swim, bike, and run and have recently completed our 4th triathlon together.
Teaching philosophy: My mission is to bond students' community, home and school in order to encourage and aid students to succeed in an academic setting as well as in the real world. I believe when children are involved in their community and are encouraged and able to make connections, it helps to foster critical thinking and create lifelong learners.
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/themuseumschool.org/mrs-d-s-kindergarten-class/
|
|
|
Jenny Di Meo
First-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Education, Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis.
Di Meo has eight years of experience teaching first, second, third and fifth grades, including two years at The Museum School. Her teaching career has included positions in Wisconsin, Illinois and Georgia, including Sagamore Hills in DeKalb County and Amana Academy Charter School in Alpharetta.
A personal note: In my free time, you will often find me outside biking or hiking with my husband Nick and our German Shepherd, Dakota. I also love to cook, garden and read.
Teaching philosophy: I truly believe students learn best though real-life, hands-on experiences, and I encourage the learning process of questioning, discovery and self-reflection in my classroom. Promoting creativity, effective communication and problem-solving is a part of my daily classroom routine and lessons.
Website: http://mrsdimeosclass.weebly.com/
|
|
|
Lillian Galicia
Kindergarten Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, Georgia State University
* ESOL and Math Endorsements
In addition to two years at The Museum School, Galicia has a year of experience teaching kindergarten in Gwinnett County and two years of pre-service experience teaching in grades Pre-K through seventh grade. She also has experience through an ESOL practicum in Chengdu, China.
A personal note: I speak Spanish fluently and study vocal and guitar.
Teaching philosophy: I believe that all students are individuals and that they have different styles of learning, personal experiences, interests and needs. I believe an integral part of my job is to guide students in their learning through meaningful and effective instruction that is developed with these differences in mind to ultimately lead to student success.
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/themuseumschool.org/ms-galicia-s-k-classroom/
|
|
|
Emily Gardner
Third-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, Wittenberg University
Master of Science in Education with a focus in elementary reading and literacy, Walden University
Gardner taught second and third grade for 10 years in south Fulton County, including three years working with gifted students, and has taught third grade at The Museum School for the past two years.
A personal note: I am married, with one son and a daughter on the way. I love to read and travel.
Teaching philosophy: I believe in hands-on learning and developing life-long learners. I want my students to learn through discovery and truly see the application for what they are learning. I strongly believe in the value of literature and creativity in the classroom. I also believe in educating the whole student and enhancing their character as well as their intellect.
|
|
|
Ginger Holland
Second-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Sciencein Elementary Education, Winthrop University
Master of Education in Administration and Educational Policy, University of Georgia
Holland is in her eighth year of teaching and has taught elementary school in St. Matthews, S.C. and in Tucker, Ga. before joining The Museum School's faculty.
A personal note: I am originally from Myrtle Beach, S.C. and moved to the Atlanta area when my husband and I were married. My husband and I have two adorable cats and are the proud aunt and uncle to eleven nieces and nephews. In my free time I enjoy reading (preferably on the beach), running, and shopping!
Teaching philosophy: As former President Bill Clinton once said, "Every child needs--and deserves--dedicated, outstanding teachers, who know their subject matter, are effectively trained, and know how to teach to high standards and to make learning come alive for students." I strive to create a strong community of learning through student interaction, investigation, and collaboration. It is my belief that students learn by doing, and when students are afforded the opportunity to participate actively in their own learning, they become engaged and make deeper and more meaningful connections. I work to foster an environment where high expectations merge with a positive environment to help students learn and grow.
Website: http://mrsgingerholland2ndgradetms.weebly.com
|
|
|
Kerrie Rich
Fourth-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor's in Early Education at Buffalo State University
Master's in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction from Walden University
Rich has 11 years experience teaching third and fourth grades in South Fulton County schools.
A personal note: In my spare time I like to read (Harry Potter is a personal favorite), dance and try new, Atlanta restaurants. I love to travel, especially to Jamaica, but any tropical beach will do.
Teaching philosophy: I believe in teaching the whole child: academics, socialization, character education and conflict resolution. I try to make everything relate to a real world experience in order to connect the student to their learning and make learning more exciting. If students can see that what they are doing makes a difference in the world, they will become more interested in learning and doing, which makes our community a better place.
|
|
|
Amy Rodriguez
First-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education PreK-5th with an ESL Endorsement
In the process of completing a Master's degree in School Counseling
In addition to teaching at The Museum School last year, Rodriguez has six years of experience teaching first grade and one year teaching second grade in Gwinnett County.
A personal note: I have 2 boys. Caleb just started Kindergarten here at The Museum School and Matthew is 2 years old. My husband Chris and I have been married for 7 years. I love to decorate my house (IKEA is my favorite store!), spend time with my family, and spend a lot of my spare time volunteering for my church.
Teaching philosophy: In teaching, my overarching goal is to develop a student-centered, active, and stimulating environment. I want my students to actively participate, rather than passively learn. I believe that higher learning is best practiced in an active classroom. My students are encouraged daily and provided with a positive environment that instills an intense love for life-long learning. Every student is successful! Ultimately my goal as a teacher is to educate, motivate, and inspire all my students to be lifelong learners.
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/themuseumschool.org/mrs-rodriguez-s-1st-grade-classroom/
|
|
|
Yolanda Silveri
First-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with an ESOL endorsement from Georgia State University
This is Silveri's ninth year teaching. She taught first grade at Rockbridge Elementary School in Gwinnett County for three years and taught first and second grades at Walnut Creek Elementary School in Henry County for five years.
Personal note: I have an 11-year-old son named Jaylen. I love running and all things fitness.
Teaching philosophy: It is my mission to provide an inviting and stimulating classroom environment in which all students will learn through music, movement, technology and hands-on learning experiences. I believe all children can learn, and my goal is to create an atmosphere that engages students' various learning styles, strengths and needs within the classroom.
|
|
|
Katie Stenberg
Kindergarten Teacher
Educaton:
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Stenberg taught kindergarten for three years in Minnesota and for two-and-a-half years in Fairfax County, Va. In addition, she spent a year in Reykjavik, Iceland tutoring foreign students in English and has worked in DeKalb County teaching at-risk students in grades 2-5.
A personal note: My husband and I enjoy traveling back to Minnesota to visit our families. We recently began tent camping and love exploring northern Georgia. In my spare time, I love knitting and reading!
Teaching philosophy: I believe it is important to instill a life-long love of learning in children, building their self-esteem and fostering their independence. In the classroom, students work both cooperatively and independently to make meaningful choices and to develop complex thinking skills. Similarities and differences are acknowledged and celebrated. A variety of methods, modalities, extensions, and supplements are used throughout the curriculum and in the classroom environment to meet the various needs and learning styles of all students.
|
|
|
ashley Beebe Zimmerman
Second-grade Teacher
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Public Relations, University of Georgia
Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, University of Georgia
Currently working on a Master of Arts in Teaching
This is Zimmerman's fifth year teaching. After teaching second grade for two years in Charlotte, N.C., she moved into the Gifted magnet program and taught an accelerated second grade class for two years. She has spent the past two summers working in the Mississippi Delta and Tulsa, Okla. as a Corps Member Advisor and Curriculum Specialist, coaching new teachers as they enter the classroom.
A personal note: My husband and I have been married since October 2011 and own one puppy – Cecelia (Cici). I am originally from Georgia; we moved back from Charlotte to be closer to our wonderful families. In my spare time I enjoy photography, travel, cooking and reading – I can't stop reading a good book until I'm done!
Teaching Philosophy: I believe children benefit from a classroom environment that allows them to explore their identity and seek to understand their peers as well as the world around them. In this process, students' own active participation enhances their learning as they probe new topics and delve deep into familiar information. I believe that by creating a warm, nurturing classroom culture and encouraging exploration and discussion, children are able to investigate challenging topics and take control of their own learning.
Website: http://www.msbeebe.weebly.com
|
