About Mrs. Wood

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. My parents and family still live there. I am the oldest of 5 children. I am very close with my family and love spending time with my brother’s and sisters, their spouses, and my niece and nephew.

I met my husband, John, while in school at The University of Alabama. Roll Tide!

   

My husband and I love doing anything active and outdoors. We love kayaking, frisbee, playing tennis, and anything that gets us moving!

But more than anything we love our twins...John Caleb and Charlotte!

Some of my favorite things: reading, baking, sewing/embroidery, sports – watching and playing, dark chocolate, frozen yogurt, family, friends, church, my faith, and of course third graders!

   

I graduated cum laude from Alabama, with a degree in elementary education. I am certified to teach all subjects K-6. I began teaching at Daniel Pratt in the fall of 2010. This will be my 9th year teaching 3rd grade at Daniel Pratt. 

Third grade is the best!

I’m looking forward to a great year at DPES!

My Teaching Philosophy

Education is a wonderful tool. I love being an educator for many reasons. I love seeing the “lightbulb go off” when a student understands a difficult concept. I love seeing students have fun learning. But most importantly, I love pushing students to be their best and seeing students grasp goals they never thought possible.

It is my belief that ALL children are capable of learning AND succeeding. By taking the time to get to know and understand your child, it is my goal to meet his/her learning needs in the best way possible.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true in education as well. Students are all unique. They learn differently, have different strengths and weaknesses, enjoy different things, and thrive in different areas. It is my goal to teach your child in the way he/she learns best. I teach in a variety of styles and approaches – sometimes we do hands on projects, sometimes we read and respond, sometimes we discuss, sometimes we write. The same goes for assessments. While tests are necessary, they do not make up 100% of the way I assess students. I assess by observation, through discussions, through work samples, projects, reports, and of course tests. By exposing your child to a variety of teaching styles and assessments, you can rest assured that he/she will be taught in a way in which he/she best learns.

My goal is that my classroom is full of active learners. I want students to take an active participation in and construction of their own learning. I will do this through a variation of large group and small group instruction, lots of independent reading, and various different workstations to accompany skills taught in class. I constantly challenge myself to come up with new and unique activities lessons. A successful teacher never stops learning!

It is also my goal to challenge students. While hearing, “That was easy!” is always rewarding, that means your student is ready for a new challenge. I don’t want complacent students. Complacency leads to boredom, which leads to trouble. That’s not what we want! :-) I believe it is my duty to constantly push and challenge your child. I will “meet” your student where he/she is in his/her academic journey, whether it be below, on, or above grade level, and work to push him/her to achieve THEIR personal, individual very best.

I also know that education is a team “sport.” I can’t do it alone, and neither can you. We need each other to best meet the needs of your child. Please know that I count on you at home to ensure that your child is responsible and accountable (You will hear me push RESPONSIBILITY A LOT!). I want students to be responsible for their own learning. I want students to WANT to learn. When a child is self motivated, the sky is the limit! Likewise, I want you to count on me to meet the needs of your child while he/she is under my care for hours a day.

COMMUNICATION is key!!! Please don’t look at items I’ve asked to be signed or returned, or notes sent home as a burden. I promise, I always have a reason and a purpose behind everything I do. In the same way, please, please, please, feel free to contact me at any time, by phone, text, or e-mail. The best way to help your child succeed is if we are on the same page, working together as one team.

I promise that your child will be accepted, loved, challenged, encouraged, hopefully learn to love learning, and have a great year, if I can help it.  :-) I’m looking forward to becoming a part of your life this year!