Background & Family
I am a native Arkansan who moved to Sherman, Texas, to begin my teaching career immediately after graduating from college. My husband (Julius), whom I met in college, and I celebrated our 20-year anniversary this summer, and we have two wonderful children. Jay is an 8th grader here at Dowell, and Sam is a sophomore at Davidson College in North Carolina where she plays volleyball. |
About MeTeaching is my passion.
I walk into the building every morning thanking God that I get to do what I love for a living. I may joke about how I used my life’s savings to purchase a Magic 8-Ball, but I wouldn’t change my profession for anything in the world; in fact, I've always known that I would be a teacher. I'd line my brother and toys alongside the bed, give them assignments from my coloring book, and give all the toys first and last names. I remember taking such pride in coming up with the name, Ella Phant, for my stuffed elephant. I'd then glue their best work on the wall with Elmer's School Glue. That passion remains today. If you're struggling to produce YOUR best work, or if you just need some extra support, please feel free to come see me for a tutoring pass. I am here to help you succeed, and I'm available before school and after school. "Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together." Scott Hayden |
Education |
I am a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where I was a member of Honors College and served as a Golden Ambassador. I was also a member of the cheerleading squad and served as president of my sorority's undergraduate chapter. I continued my education at Southern Methodist University where I worked as a graduate assistant and earned my Master's Degree in English.
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Experience |
This is my 18th year of teaching; I began my teaching career in Sherman, Texas. While teaching 10th grade English and Creative Writing at Sherman High School, I was awarded New Secondary Teacher of the Year. I then moved to Plano, Texas, where I taught 7th grade English at Haggard Middle School and at Rice Middle School. While in Plano, I wrote curriculum for Plano's Middle School Project. I took two years off from teaching to stay home with my son and to work on my Master's degree. After that brief hiatus, I returned to the classroom and have been teaching 7th or 8th grade ELAR here at Dowell for the past 12 years. I was voted Campus Teacher of the Year in 2011, and I currently serve as 8th grade ELAR team lead, a member of the district's 8th grade curriculum writing team, and as the high school Summer Writing Camp Co-Coordinator. This year, I am also serving as Dowell's 504 Campus Specialist and RTI Coordinator.
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