Members

= Nicole Brauer: = My name is Nicole Brauer and I am currently a teacher as well as a grad student attending the University of Walden. I live in New Jersey and have been an educator for eight years. I have taught preschool for all of my eight years experience. Preschool is the first experience in school for many children. This is the foundation and I am the who takes pride in being a teacher to these young students and one of their first experiences. No matter what grade level I believe all teachers have the power to educate and pass on many skills and life long lessons to their students. We are now in the 21st century and many things have changed. It is my goal to stay abreast of current research and findings and use best practices that are [|developmentally appropriate]in order to maintain a fun, safe, learning environment that supports a variety of learning abilities in my class.

Millie Beckman: My name is Millie Beckman and I teach 3rd and 4th grade at a private school. I am in my eighth year of teaching and I love it. Teaching is a passion of mine and my goal is to make sure all students learn. This class has already inspired me to research more and change my teaching habits. I am a constructivist teacher and believe that all children can and will learn. My goal is to make sure that all my lessons are structured so students learn and are able to transfer that knowledge. I believe when students are engaged they are motivated to learn. I am also a believer in brain-based learning. Students come with prior experiences and construct new meaning. I also believe that learning is developmental. It can be difficult for the child if he or she cannot think abstractly and given an abstract lesson.

Theresa Carver: My name is Theresa Carver and I teach 6th grade Communication Arts in an Intermediate 5-6 Publc School. I am in my 13th year of teaching and I enjoy going work everyday. My goal is to teach each of my students to believe in themselves and they will succeed. For some of my students reading is a struggle but I am willing to do go above and beyond to help my students realize that reading will take them to places that they may never get go but with reading they can.

Laverne Smith: My Name is Laverne Mason Smith I am at present an instructional aide/local tech cordinator/distance learning facilitator. I enjoy working with the kids. I work at a K-12 High School where my focus is with 8-12th grade students. This year I am facilitating 12 online courses at the local high school. We are very small rural school where these students are not given the same opportunities to learn with face to face teachers but we have found that they can still achieve and become great students. I have learned so much since I have been in this course. My goal is to become a certified teacher so that I can not online facilitate online classes but be qualified to teacher classes both online and in the classroom.