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Hello,
My name is Dezia Harper. I am in my 6th year of teaching and I currently teach 3rd grade in for Southfield Public Schools. I am a University of Michigan - Ann Arbor graduate. I have a very busy and intelligent 3 yr old son named Ryan. I love to travel and I am currently looking forward to getting married this July! :)

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Hello Everyone,
My name is Brittney VanLuyn and I currently teach 2nd grade at Wayland Union Schools. This is my first year in 2nd grade and I am loving it. In the past I taught 3rd grade, Art as well as Technology.  I graduated in 2012 with my bachelor degree from GVSU and I am just starting my Master's this year.
Family is very important to me! I have two little boys who keep me busy! Braxton is three years old and Carson is 9 Months old. I have been married to my husband now for 7 years and we have a black lab mix that is about 5.

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Hello everyone,
My name is Amanda Miller. I currently teach 2nd grade at a Christian school in Grandville. Prior to teaching 2nd grade I taught preschool for two years. I love both 2nd grade and preschool, and I hope to teach preschool again someday. I graduated from Hope College in 2012 with a degree in language arts for elementary education. I also received an early childhood endorsement through Grand Valley. In my free time I really enjoy being outside and spending time with friends.
I'm looking forward to working with all of you this semester.

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I completed my undergrad at Michigan State University, received my Masters from Aquinas College, and completed courses to earn my Administrator's Certificate at Grand Valley.  I am currently in my 6th year of teaching Early Childhood Special Education at Maple Valley Schools.  In addition to teaching, I am also the director of the child care program offered through our school district.

Family is of the utmost importance to me and I spend the majority of my free time engaging in activities with them.  I also have a 5 year old German Shepard who is the best guy I could ask for because he's always happy to see me and doesn't talk back!  HAHA!

I am looking forward to completing this class and being able to renew my teaching certificate this year.

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This is my 6th year in education. I am an elementary Physical Education teacher in Kentwood Public Schools. I have coached high school baseball for 10 years.
I did my undergrad at Grand Valley State University and Calvin College, playing baseball.
I am from Grand Rapids and can't get away. My wife and I love the city and it's where most our family and friends are.
I am active in a variety of sports, play music, love food, and am a father to two cats.

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Hi all!
My name is Ann Talen. This is my 6th year teaching. I lived in VA for a few years and taught there, but am back home now in MI teaching 4th grade in Jenison. I job share, so I work Monday, Wednesday, every other Friday. I love being part time as it gives me time to spend at home with my daughters. Olivia is 3, Natalie is 1. My favorite thing about teaching is building relationships- with co-workers, parents, and of course my students. We recently began a new reading curriculum, which I love, and I am excited to have the chance to use new ideas from this class. Looking forward to working with you!

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Hello,

I am a lead preschool teacher for Newaygo County RESA in Fremont. This is my fourth year teaching. I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2013 with a major in Early Childhood Education. I moved to Newaygo shortly after graduating and I've worked for NCRESA all four years of my teaching.

I'm currently seeking my master's degree in Early Childhood Education in hopes to one day be an Early Childhood Specialist for the same program.

In my free time, my boyfriend and I like to spend time fishing, going on the boat, traveling up north, and spoiling our nieces and nephew. We recently booked a trip to Iceland for spring break and are looking forward to a new adventure!

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Emma Lewis

Hello everyone,

I and currently a 1st grade teacher at Plymouth Educational Center in Detroit. This is my first-year teacher in first grade. I have been teaching for 20 years and 3 years as a director. I have a degree from Spring Arbor University. I take pleasure in spending time with my family.

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Hi!
Currently, I am working at Holland Heights TK-7 for Holland Public Schools as an Instructional Assistant in a Transitional Kindergarten classroom.  I am taking this graduate class to work on getting my teaching license renewed.  Transitional Kindergarten is a retention year for all the students who are in the class.
I graduated from GVSU in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.  I majored in English with an emphasis in Language Arts and minored in Elementary Education.  While I was attending GVSU, I worked as a Bilingual Instructional Assistant for five years.  My husband and I moved to North Carolina in 2006, so that I could gain classroom teaching experience.  During the six years we lived in North Carolina I taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grade. We made the difficult decision to move back to Michigan, because “home is where the heart is” and we wanted to be closer to family.  After we moved back, I was a stay-at-home mom for about six years and I am excited to get back into teaching again

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Hello all!
I am currently a 5th grade Science and Social Studies teacher in Canton, MI. I have been teaching for about 12 years now and have experience in teaching elementary, middle and high school. I have also taught in 4 different states and recently moved here to Michigan. I enjoy spending time with my family during my free time. I have a 5 year old and 2 year old that keep me pretty busy!

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Hello everyone! I am a kindergarten teacher in Traverse City. This is my 10th year teaching. I taught 2 years in Midland and the past 8 years in TC. I have mainly taught kindergarten, but have also taught 2nd grade. I graduated last May with my Master’s degree in Educational Technology. My husband and I love to spend time outdoors in northern Michigan, especially on our new property on the river. We love to fish, go on our boat, kayak, and travel. We have a German Shorthair Pointer named Saige that we love spending time with too. We love having friends and family visit us up north. I look forward to collaborating and learning with you this semester!

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I am in my 6th year of teaching.  I am the GSRP teacher at Winchell Elementary in Kalamazoo.
I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2011 with my bachelors in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education.
I enjoy being outdoors, running, biking, skiing, snowboarding, at the lake, and much more!

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Maria MacAllister-Rowe                      I am in my 4th year at a Charter school in Detroit and I love it!  I love the urban setting so much more and the students are a hoot!  I am a Special Education Teacher who teaches students with learning disabilities.  I have a 2 foundations classes where I work with my students on their goals and homework.  I push into the rest of their classes.  I got married a year ago and my Mother recently passed away on New Years Eve; so I have been dealing with that.  She was only 58 years old.... Anyway, I am excited to take this course and get my mind off of my Mother's passing!

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Maria MacAllister-Rowe                      I am in my 4th year at a Charter school in Detroit and I love it!  I love the urban setting so much more and the students are a hoot!  I am a Special Education Teacher who teaches students with learning disabilities.  I have a 2 foundations classes where I work with my students on their goals and homework.  I push into the rest of their classes.  I got married a year ago and my Mother recently passed away on New Years Eve; so I have been dealing with that.  She was only 58 years old.... Anyway, I am excited to take this course and get my mind off of my Mother's passing!

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I am a 4th grade teacher at Cross Creek Charter Academy in Byron Center. This is my 6th year in 4th grade.
Previously I taught Middle School and High School math and science. I have degrees from both Calvin College and Grand Valley.
I am married with 3 amazing kiddos. My oldest graduates from High School this year - and I am still trying to figure out how that's possible! My three are 17, 15 and 11.
Our family loves the outdoors and spending time together. We especially love Michigan in the summertime.

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Hi everyone!  I have taught many age levels from preschool on up.  I had an elementary degree but decided to go for special education.  Most of my time was spent with self-contained programs at the local ISD.  I left there thinking I was going in another direction but ended up getting a position as a self-contained teacher in a virtual setting.  Not being much of a tech person, it has been very interesting!  I have been in this position over a year now and still learn every day!  So I am online all day and will now be doing an online class but I'll just jump back and forth between computers.  Looking forward to using this information with students!

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Elyse Westerman
Elyse Westerman
*I am in my 6th year of teaching.
*I teach 5th grade at White Pines Intermediate in Grand Haven.
*I graduated from Grand Valley in 2012 with a major in Integrated Science. 
*I have been teaching 5th grade since I was a student teacher and I absolutely love this age group. They are so fun and independent.
*I am currently engaged and getting married at the end of June, so we have been in wedding planning mode. 
*My fiance and I love everything Grand Haven has to offer during the summer, including the Musical Fountain, the beach, and especially Coast Guard Fest. 
*My fiance and I are both originally from Milford, MI, which is on the east side of the state. But we love it over here way more! 
 
Megan Wilson
Megan Wilson
Currently in my 6th year of teaching special education. My first two years I was a resource room teacher in Galesburg, MI
Next two years a SXI/OHI teacher at Manistee ISD in Manistee, MI Currently I am working as a Moci teacher in Ironwood Mi. Teaching MS/HS students. 
I graduated with my B.S in education from the University of Mary , Bismarck, ND in 2011 Then Finished my Masters in Early Childhood Curriculum and Development at GVSU this winter. I am a ski patroller and enjoy back packing, hiking, camping, and kayaking in the U.P of MI and Northern WI. 
 
Carolyn Evans
Carolyn Evans
I am in my 6th year of teaching. I have taught Kindergarten for 2 years in a charter school in Detroit, 2 years as an upper elementary and middle school resource room teacher, and so far 2 years as an elementary school teacher within the Berkley School District. 
I am married to a wonderful man and we are about to have our first child this March. We can not be more excited to meet little baby girl. We love to be active, travel, and be outdoors as much as possibly. 
I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2012 with a major in Special Education CI and LD and minors in Language Arts and Early Childhood Education. This is my last semester of my masters Education Leadership program through Grand Valley University. I am taking this course while completing my masters project... wish me luck!
 
Julie Druelle
Julie Druelle
-Taught 5th grade for 6 years at a Catholic school in Greenville, and then we had our first daughter and I opted to stay home with her and eventually her siblings.  Fast forward 15 years and I am now entering my 2nd year as a preschool teacher at a Catholic school in Grand Rapids where 3 of my kids attend!
-I love spending time with my family and watch my kids in all of their sporting activities.
-I am nervous but excited to be back in school myself!
 
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
- I am a Preschool Teacher at Glen Lake School (near Traverse City). This is my first year as Lead Teacher. - I graduated from Grand Valley. 
- I am married to Greg and have two awesome children.  Emma is 12 and Mitch is 10. We enjoy spending time outdoors, especially boating and camping, playing games, and traveling. 
- I would love to one day write a book for young children.

 
Kjia Pawloski
Kjia Pawloski
- I am in my 4th year of teaching. I teach 6th grade Writing and Science
- I graduated from the University of Michigan and my passion is definitely teaching Science

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*I am in my 6th year of teaching.
*I teach 5th grade at White Pines Intermediate in Grand Haven.
*I graduated from Grand Valley in 2012 with a major in Integrated Science.
*I have been teaching 5th grade since I was a student teacher and I absolutely love this age group. They are so fun and independent.
*I am currently engaged and getting married at the end of June, so we have been in wedding planning mode.
*My fiance and I love everything Grand Haven has to offer during the summer, including the Musical Fountain, the beach, and especially Coast Guard Fest.
*My fiance and I are both originally from Milford, MI, which is on the east side of the state. But we love it over here way more!

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Currently in my 6th year of teaching special education. My first two years I was a resource room teacher in Galesburg, MI
Next two years a SXI/OHI teacher at Manistee ISD in Manistee, MI Currently I am working as a Moci teacher in Ironwood Mi. Teaching MS/HS students.
I graduated with my B.S in education from the University of Mary , Bismarck, ND in 2011 Then Finished my Masters in Early Childhood Curriculum and Development at GVSU this winter. I am a ski patroller and enjoy back packing, hiking, camping, and kayaking in the U.P of MI and Northern WI.

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I am in my 6th year of teaching. I have taught Kindergarten for 2 years in a charter school in Detroit, 2 years as an upper elementary and middle school resource room teacher, and so far 2 years as an elementary school teacher within the Berkley School District.
I am married to a wonderful man and we are about to have our first child this March. We can not be more excited to meet little baby girl. We love to be active, travel, and be outdoors as much as possibly.
I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2012 with a major in Special Education CI and LD and minors in Language Arts and Early Childhood Education. This is my last semester of my masters Education Leadership program through Grand Valley University. I am taking this course while completing my masters project... wish me luck!

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-Taught 5th grade for 6 years at a Catholic school in Greenville, and then we had our first daughter and I opted to stay home with her and eventually her siblings.  Fast forward 15 years and I am now entering my 2nd year as a preschool teacher at a Catholic school in Grand Rapids where 3 of my kids attend!
-I love spending time with my family and watch my kids in all of their sporting activities.
-I am nervous but excited to be back in school myself!

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- I am a Preschool Teacher at Glen Lake School (near Traverse City). This is my first year as Lead Teacher. - I graduated from Grand Valley.
- I am married to Greg and have two awesome children.  Emma is 12 and Mitch is 10. We enjoy spending time outdoors, especially boating and camping, playing games, and traveling.
- I would love to one day write a book for young children.

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- I am in my 4th year of teaching. I teach 6th grade Writing and Science
- I graduated from the University of Michigan and my passion is definitely teaching Science
- I am married and have a little girl, who is our world!
- We love being outdoors, even in this cold weather we are having, but we prefer sunshine
- I literally couldn't find a picture of just me so here is one of me and my little girl in her "Reading Boat" (Seemed fitting :))

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•Currently in my fifth year teaching (second grade at a Christian school).
I love my students, learning new things, and teaching!
•I love to be active, outdoors, and experience new adventures!
•I got married June 2016 and live in Zeeland, Michigan with my husband.
•Graduated from Hope College with a degree in Elementary Education - Language Arts Composite Major and a Math Minor.

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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!