4th/5th Grade Teacher
I am thrilled to begin my 8th year as an elementary school teacher, and my 6th year at Emerson. I grew up near Portland in Lake Oswego, OR. My family moved here from the Bay Area when I was 5, and I've stayed in the Pacific Northwest ever since. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, playing music, biking, hiking, swimming, roller skating, climbing, snowboarding, going to the movies, playing basketball, and watching basketball. I live in Northeast Portland with my wife, Stacey and our cat, Momo.
My experience in the field of education and childcare includes (in chronological order) teaching music lessons at Willowbrook Arts Camp, after-school care at the Boys & Girls Club, teaching young children at a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool, student teaching while working towards an M.A. in Teaching at the University of Portland, and finally, working as a full-time classroom teacher. I've taught grades 1, 2, 4, and 5, with the last two being my favorite :)
I was originally drawn to Emerson because of their commitment to Positive Discipline and the Project Approach. I believe students do their best work when their social-emotional needs are met, when life skills and social skills are explicitly taught and practiced in the classroom, when they have a teacher who respects their autonomy and capabilities, and when they are engaged in work that is meaningful to them. Emerson's model sets teachers and students up to make this kind of classroom environment a reality.
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