I Heart STEAM

I began teaching in 2003. My journey started with eager 1st grade students. I expanded my experience and became a certified gifted instructor. 6 years later, I moved on to upper elementary where I began exploring the foundations of STEAM instruction. 4 years ago, I moved into serving gifted and talented identified students while obtaining a STEM endorsement in the state of Georgia. I currently teach gifted identified students and coordinate STEAM instruction for K-5 at my facility. In my newest adventure, I worked with National Geographic to become a NatGeo Certified Educator. I use 3D printing on a regular basis in my classroom, and I am a registered Maker's Empire Ambassador. Maker's Empire is the BEST student friendly 3D printing software available ANYWHERE!

I am passionate about evolving my classroom to create independent problem solvers and thinkers through project-based learning. I like to keep my students curious and foster their natural ability to ask questions. Questions often interrupt our day.... but we have to create a system that allows for them to be comfortable to keep QUESTIONING what they observe in the WORLD!!

National Geographic Certified Educator STEM Endorsed Gifted Instruction Endorsed Maker's Empire Ambassador STEAM Support Specialist STEAMed UP Teachers Course Instructor

B.S. in Early Childhood Education M.Ed. with Emphasis in Reading STEM Endorsed Teacher Gifted and Talented Endorsed Teacher

Do you iHeartSTEAM, too?I am Bonnie Kirkley and the creator of iHeartSTEAM.com . I have been teaching for the past 18 years in elementary education. I completely enjoy making each and every day a special day at school. I love a challenge and embrace change. I absolutely want all my students to adapt to the "why not" philosophy. We walk the planet each day following the rules and making choices because others do the same. Why can't we be different? Why can't we do it in a new way? Well..... why not? I am working ever so fiercely to step into a new element of teaching in the 21st century. I am just breaking through boundaries and getting my feet wet. My mission is to make the mundane marvelous! While practicing what I preach, I moved the Teacher Party, my original store name, into a new direction and it became iheartSTEAM on TpT. Learning should always be fun!! Currently I work with many teachers taking my online course and membership the STEAMed Up Teacher Club.