WendyLooHoo

In college, I taught 2nd and 6th grades during my internships. As a professional, I taught 1st grade for 8 years in a school population of primarily 85% English Language Learners, and have had NUMEROUS trainings & staff developments on teaching students who are ELL or ESL. I have had numerous years of experience with Common Core integration in Math, and Reading/English Language Arts. I have completed many classes and staff developments in the Common Core, and am extremely excited to include it in my student instruction. Recently, I began the "second chapter" of my teaching career in a school where the majority of students have been pulled by the state from dire situations, and are waiting in hope to return to parents in rehabilitated homes. This situation has been both inspiring, and at times somewhat heartbreaking; I spend each day encouraging, hugging, and giving them the knowledge to one day, hopefully, master their own situation positively. I recently taught Common Core math to 4th and 5th graders and as of this year have begun teaching Reading and Language Arts in 2nd and 3rd grade. Within my classroom, I am implementing the Leader in Me / 7 Habits of Happy Kids program by Stephen & Sean Covey, Franklin-Covey. I want to help my students be independent, responsible leaders from Pre-K forward, and are already seeing amazing results. I don't teach them; I integrate learning with our students, side by side through hands-on application, not pure memorization. I find I learn as much within the classroom as they do, if not more, each day.

I don't think I can pinpoint an exact style. For management, I love the wisdom of Harry Wong. Most students, I have found, will often make the right choice when given respect and the expectation, and even more so when they are involved in the process. Positive attitude often gets positive results. For literacy, I lean on quality, meaningful literature integrated into all subject areas and including both fiction, poetry, and informational texts, and also the advice of research-based-enthusiasts such as Lucy Calkins. Finally, I am a big believer in hands-on-learning & discovery, and in stealing the time for "teachable moments". I believe that if you teach it, they will learn it, no matter what their age; we become disillusioned and disappointed when we forget that mastery does not occur in one lesson, or one year, but is a lifelong process. We become negligent when we decide for someone else they are unable to benefit from learning something based on age, gender, ethnicity, or ability. Everyone can benefit. Everyone can learn as much as they are allowed. Noone *HAS* to learn the same exact thing, or have the same exact takeaway. That is the beauty of life as an individual.

Yet to be added

*Master's Degree in Literacy Education specializing in Literacy for Title I schools at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro (GPA - 3.98) *Bachelors Degree in K-6 Education from University of North Alabama with Highly Qualified Distinction *Certified to teach Reading in K-12 *Certified to Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL - UNCG, Praxis II)

I love the teaching - hate the paperwork. However, I recognize the implicit need for constantly evaluating and reevaluating student progress not only for their benefit, but for mine. I love animals and organisms of all kinds. I especially love studying primates. (Orangutans are my favorites!) The world of science fascinates me very much, and I try to share that enthusiasm (and yes even some reserves) with my students because I want them to grow up with love, admiration, understanding, and respect for all living things. Only then, will we set forth as a planet, truly determined to end the mistreatment, cruelty, and unnecessary loss of the amazing life that exists beyond humans. I am a "Word Nerd". I love words, word parts, languages, and etymology in general, and it excites me when I am able to impart some form of this knowledge with my students. One way I do this for the younger ones is to include the cartoon, Word Girl. She has a monkey for a sidekick...Did I say I love studying primates???!!?? Genealogy is also one of my favorite subjects. We must learn from our past, even if we decide to make the same choice. What better way to engage ourselves than learning how those before us did it first, and how we can use their ideas to improve on what has been done.