 Master Teacher, holds a Bachelor’s
degree in sociology, a Colorado license for elementary
education for K-6, and a master’s degree in Special
Education: Gifted Education. She returned to Rocky Mountain
School after working in New Mexico public schools for five
years, and holds a New Mexico license for elementary education
for K-8. She presented a workshop about teaching gifted
K-2 students at the National Association for Gifted Children
in 1999. Kathy’s husband Scott is a salesman, and
they have two children, one son an electrician, and one
married daughter with a son. Kathy and Scott are thrilled
to be grandparents!
About her approach to teaching, Kathy says “I teach
using many practices and theories including Howard Gardner’s
Multiple Intelligence theory and Vygotsky’s theory
about scaffolding lessons to challenge learners. I maintain
classroom discipline using individual and group positive
reinforcements like an extra recess when 10 stars are earned
for using appropriate classroom behavior. Personal organization
is supported and learned by using student planners in which
to write due dates for homework and special events. Reading
is done for pleasure and purpose with DEAR time for free
reading, Scholastic News for current events, Junior Great
Books for thinking and discussion, individualized SRA reading
for comprehension and speed, guided reading for skills, introduction
to genres with creative writing, etc… Writing is supported
with journal writing, creative writing, PROBE assignments
that are teacher-directed written homework involving research
or thinking about a topic. I believe that students’ interests
will lead the classroom curriculum choices. This year if
children love the topic of dinosaurs, we will read, write,
research, solve math problems, write/learn songs and create
them!” |
