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Hello! Sorry I'm so late on posting, it's been a crazy week! My name is Jodi Juergens, I am a GSRP Preschool teacher at Reeths-Puffer in N. Muskegon. This will be my 5th year there. I missed class last week getting my home visits done, but I am looking forward to meeting everyone at the next
class.
I have a two year old daughter, Sadie, who keeps me very busy! My husband and I are also expecting our second child in February. When I have free time I enjoy going on walks with my family, running, and unwinding! Lately my favorite thing to do is nap!

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Hello!
I am Meagan Chmura and I  excited to be taking my first Master's Course this semester!
My teaching experience is a little segmented, as I took some time away from teaching when I had kids.  It includes:
*teaching 7/8th grade Language Arts
*several years of long-term subbing
*teaching 4th grade
This year I have moved to 5th grade, and am excited to be settling in to the position.
Outside of teaching, I like to paint, hike, read, and cheer on the Chicago Cubs.

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Hi Everyone! My name is Sarah Postema and I am in my 3rd year as a reading interventionist at Grant Elementary/Primary Schools. I have been in and out of education for the last 12 years. I finally got a full time position that I absolutely love! I work with k-4 students on their reading and writing needs and am always looking to find better strategies to help my students grow and succeed. I enjoy the outdoors, reading, music, my husband and step-son, two Jack Russells

and living in the country!

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Hi everyone! My name is Julia Brown. I recently graduated from Grand Valley this past April. I am taking graduate courses this year and will be subbing in the area. I have experience teaching fourth and first grade. I am very excited to learn more about teaching writing.

Some of my favorite things to do include reading, spending time with my family and friends, playing tennis, and exploring Michigan. I also LOVE tacos. :)

I am eager to learn with all of you this semester.

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Hello!
My name is Jenn Hawley-Glynn.  I was a dog trainer and threw discus and hammer on the track and field team during a lot of my time at GVSU as an undergrad.  I taught in Kent County as a STEM teacher after graduating and then was hired in Traverse City Public Schools. I just started my sixth year as 5th grade teacher and love it.  My husband and I have a two year old son and two German Shepherds that keep us busy after school hours.  :)

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Hello!
My name is Johanna White. I am in my 5th year of teaching, but my third year teaching 5th grade at Ionia Public Schools. I taught kindergarten before this, at a charter school in Grand Rapids. I don't have any kids, but I do have *lots* of fur kids. I have a couple dogs, several cats, two horses, and a mini horse. I like to keep busy. I am very close to my family and I enjoy spending my spare time visiting with them.

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Hi! My name is Megan Westlund. I am currently starting my 10th year teaching.

I currently teach 4th grade at Jenison Christian School but have taught in public and charter schools in rural Mississippi, Gary, Indiana and inner city Chicago.

I have a 2 year old son who loves water and being outdoors. I am expecting my second child in February!

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My name is Brielle Jager. I taught in Hollywood, CA for 2.5 years in an all-girls alternative high school for students on probation.

My husband and I then moved back home to Michigan and I taught special education at Calvin Christian High School for 3 years.

This will be my first year teaching 6th grade special education at Hamilton Middle School, which is right down the road from where we live.

My husband and I have an 18mo. old son and are expecting another in February 2018!

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Hey there. I'm Erinn Caley, and I'm starting my 12th (?) year of teaching. Though I'm currently teaching AP Language and Creative Writing at Byron Center High School, I've taught in many different contexts: preschool and elementary kids in Japan, 9th grade in rural Indiana, and 10th grade history in Boston, Mass. I am a mama to the sweetest four year old, and am excited to learn more that might give me skills to help younger students like my own girl. In my free time I love baking, writing, and thrift shopping.

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Hi!
My name is Ashley Lowing and I am beginning my 3rd year teaching at Comstock Park (Pine Island). My first year I taught 3rd grade. Last year I taught 4th grade and this year I am in 4th grade again. I absolutely LOVE this age level of kiddos. Aside from teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and husband, Scott. We recently got a Goldendoodle, Oakley, this summer, so we have had our hands full!

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Hello, everyone!
My name is Adrienne Baker, and I am beginning my fifth year of teaching in Greenville Public Schools.  I teach fourth grade ELA at a school with a Chinese immersion program.
My husband and I live in an old family farmhouse near Belding, and we enjoy listening to audiobooks, making home improvements, and playing with our fluffy dog, Oswald.

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Hi, my name is Abbie Sissing. I am going into my 2nd year teaching Kindergarten in Zeeland. I I graduated from Grand Valley in 2015 with my degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelors in Science. After I graduated I became a 4th grade teacher at Buchanan Elementary School in GRPS for 1/2 year then moved to ZPS the next. I am very passionate about teaching kids, being outdoors, and my friends/ family.

This summer, my husband and I got invited to NINE weddings (mind blowing)!

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Hello!
My name is Joy Oh. This is my second year teaching first grade in Grand Rapids, MI. I'm from Korea and Thailand. I've taught English in Korea throughout college during summers. I'll be a full-time teacher and a full-time grad student at GVSU this year. My hobbies include binge-Netflixing, singing in the shower, reading Young Adult fiction, bowling (although I'm terrible at it), and watching parenting shows--even though I am not a parent.
I look forward to learning with you all this semester!

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My name is Ashley St.Louis, I am in my second year teaching second grade in Belding, MI. I have had many experiences in teaching, starting off with student teaching in the Bahamas, teaching in Tennessee and Florida. I was also a sports reporter in North Dakota in between teaching, and continue to do reporting for Fox 17 football show, Blitz. I love the Green Bay Packers, and watching all sports! I got engaged last February in front of my class! And also just moved into a new house, so between wedding planning and decorating, I've been busy this summer!

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My name is Steve Persenaire. I am beginning my 4th year teaching 5th/6th Grade Social Studies at Lawrence Elementary in Lawrence MI. I also coach Cross Country, JV Basketball, and Track. I am a big Chicago Cubs and University of Michigan fan

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Hello Everyone,
My name Harmony Perry. I have been a part of my school since 2012 and this is my third year teaching 2nd and 3rd grade at my charter school.

I started off as a long-term sub in Oct 2012

Then became the Intervention Specialist from 2013-2015 Tier III Math and Reading.

I am excited about beginning the courses needed for my next stage to my education, and look forward to applying what I learn and growing my thinking. Here is the picture that I took and used for my welcome letters to my families this school year.

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Hello all!
My name is Lisa Newberry. I have just completed my fifth year of teaching in a charter school setting. I have taught 3rd grade for three years, and 4th grade for two years. I recently accepted a fourth grade position at a very urban public school. Needless to say, I am very nervous and am feeling slightly overwhelmed; especially with the start of this course! I am remaining optimistic and hope that I am able to use the information I gain from this course for my current and future students.
I have had many changes in the past year: moving into a new home and switching jobs are just a couple. I have shared the joy of these changes with my husband of almost 13 years, our daughter Jocelyn (10), and our daughter Aivery (6). I enjoy Pinteresting (I know, silly), and I enjoy traveling. I'm always up for a new adventure! I look forward to meeting you all tomorrow!
*the family picture below is of me, my girls, and my husband :)*

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My name is Deb Hoeksema. I have taught 5th grade, Special Ed, and currently teach Kindergarten. My husband and I have a 12 year old daughter. I am excited to utilize what I learn in this class to help my kiddos become better readers. This was from last year's field trip.

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My Background

•29 years in the public school

•24 gen. ed. classroom—rural setting(many special education students)

•5 years as a reading teacher—urban setting (Reading Recovery, as well as small groups, and classroom lessons)

•Grand Valley 13 years

•Language Arts Consultant for K-12 schools

•NCTE, ILA, MRA, NWP, RCWP

•Published articles (Mary Dekker)

•Always wanted to end up teaching teachers—here I am!

•