About Me:

I am so thrilled to be teaching the students of Carterville! My hometown is Harrisburg so I grew up here in Southern Illinois.

After graduating from Harrisburg High School in 1999, I attended Union University in Jackson, Tennessee for my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Union has a nationally accredited education program in which I had a wonderful experience. My professors were gifted teachers who instilled in me a belief in a teacher/student dynamic of sensitivity, reflection, and faith. It is important to be sensitive to students' varied needs and learning styles as well as to be reflective about my teaching.

Following my time at Union, I took a position teaching first grade in Bells, Tennessee. After five total years in Tennessee, I decided to move back to Southern Illinois and was blessed to spend four years teaching in Harrisburg. I enjoyed two years teaching fifth grade before moving back to the primary level and teaching two years in second grade.

During my tenure in Harrisburg, I completed my Masters of Arts in Teaching degree through Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. This program provided effective, research-based methods for motivating students and delivering content.

I came to Carterville in 2008 and have since met and married my husband, Jason Cook. I really enjoy teaching first grade here at Tri-C!

I believe that it is the teacher's role to provide a safe, enriching environment for students to grow. My students come to the classroom with a variety of personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. No child is exactly like another. Therefore, it is vital that I provide differentiated instruction designed to target each child where they are and spur them on to the next step. I do this in a variety of ways.

Opportunities for growth in Reading occur through a combination of large group, small group, and individual instruction. Students are exposed to a variety of literature including multiple genres at appropriate reading levels. Students are taught specific reading strategies for decoding and comprehension. All of this is done with the purpose of developing within each child a life-long love of reading.

Writing is naturally differentiated as each child progresses through the development of the writing process. Direct instruction of specific skills is provided to the whole class. Then, I individualize instruction for each child as they write so that each student is challenged appropriately through the rough draft, editing, and publishing process.

"Math Menus" with work beyond the regular curriculum are used by the first grade teachers to provide appropriate challenges. I incorporate these menus later in the year for those students who have already demonstrated mastery of the topic we are working on in a given chapter.

First grade is such a wonderful year because students go through such a change academically and personally during this year. They journey many miles on the road to reading fluency. They often grow several inches and lose several teeth :-). They also develop a new sense of their abilities. I am here for the journey with you as parents. Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions!