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Greetings all,

My name on Blackboard is William, but I usually go by Will. I'm currently teaching first grade at an independent school in Seattle, Washington. I've just spent the past two years teaching a first/second grade split at an international school in Mumbai, India. Prior to that I was a Teaching Assistant in a Kindergarten class for two years. I've also taught summer school for rising ninth-graders in the Seattle Public School system for the past six years. I'm about three-quarters of the way through my Curriculum and Instruction program through Lesley.

Looking forward to getting to know you all better and learning together.

-Will

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My name is Emma Spang and I'm currently working as a para in a prek classroom in Dedham, MA. I just graduated last May and decided I would get started on my Masters in Language and Literacy since I'm not dealing with the craziness of my first classroom yet! I'm excited to get started on this course and to work with all of you!

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My name is Sharon Sorette.  I am a first grade teacher at a primary school in Concord, NH.  This is my 17th year teaching, mostly in first, but I spent a few years in second grade and also taught a K/1 multiage for a few years.
I am about halfway through my degree program in Curriculum and Instruction. I have two grown kids, so my husband and I are adjusting to an empty nest!

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Hello everyone. My name is Alan Mitchell. I am a 5th grade teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been teaching for one year and I love it. Prior to this, I was a probation officer in Los Angeles, California. I am enrolled in the Individually Designed Program for Educators.

I have been happily married for 14 years (in April) and have 3 children (14 and 9 year old daughters, plus a 12 year old son). I am also a big Miami Dolphin and Pittsburgh Penguin fan.

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Hi Everyone!

My name is Lauren Morse and I am going into my 6th year of teaching at a non-profit learning center in Williston, Vermont called the Stern Center for Language and Learning. I love working here because I am able to work 1:1 will all of the students and their ages vary (youngest is in 2nd grade, oldest is in college). Most of my students have a diagnosis of dyslexia and I work with them to improve their reading skills. I am currently enrolled in the Language and Literacy Program and it has been a great experience. Only a few more courses and I will be finished.

When I am not working, all of my time is dedicated to my 3 year old daughter, Eliana. She has more energy than any one child should be allowed to have, but she is amazing! We both love to dance and we now take turns at the dance studio- I tap on Thursdays and she dances on Saturdays! :)

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Hello everyone! My name is Lauren Abreu. I am a kindergarten teacher at a private school in Burlington,  MA. This is my second year teaching kindergarten and prior to that, I taught preschool. I absolutely love the grade that I teach! I am passionate about integrating literacy across the curriculum and look forward to learning from this course. I am currently enrolled in the Curriculum and Instruction program here at Lesley.

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My name is Danielle Bradley and I live in Dalton, MA.  I currently teach 2nd Grade in Pittsfield, MA but I have also taught kindergarten and first grade.  This is my third year teaching.
I am half way through my Curriculum and Instruction program for my Master's at Lesley.
I love to teach reading, as it was one of my favorite subjects when I was in school.
When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my husband and two boys.  They keep me very busy.  This is a picture of my husband, my 3 year old, and my 6 month old.
Looking forward to this course!

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Hello everyone! I am writing from North Providence, Rhode Island. I teach first grade in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. We are in our founding years, and opened in 2015. As of now we have 6 classrooms, three kinder and three first grade. Next year we will double inside by adding 3 second grade classrooms, as well as one additional first and kinder. I am transitioning into the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction within my school and am about halfway done with my masters! We pride ourselves in our strong literacy focus, and I cannot wait to learn how to better our school in these areas! I am also preparing to get married on September 15 of this year! I cannot wait! My fiance is so supportive and stands by me with my busy life!

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My name is Cassie Hetzel and I teach 5th grade in Thermopolis, Wyoming. This is my 5th year teaching 5th grade and I love it!
I am halfway to my masters in curriculum and instruction from Lesley. Currently I teach reading, math, and writing and this content literacy course sparked my interest to further my understanding of literacy in all contents. I am really looking to expand my knowledge of literacy across content.
Outside the classroom I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband and I have two little girls and a baby boy on the way! The picture I've attached is a picture of us enjoying our most favorite past time...camping and 4-wheeling in the mountains!

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Hello all!
My name is Joe Karpman and I am a 6th grade Social Studies teacher in San Antonio, Texas. I made the move down here two years ago, but I'm an east coast native and previously taught 5th grade for two years in Connecticut.  Right now, I'm enrolled in the individually designed M.Ed. program at Lesley, focusing on Classroom Literacy and as much of the Emerging Technologies certificate program as I can!  The process of literacy has always been fascinating to me, and it's important to me that my students leave 6th grade feeling "history literate."

Outside of the classroom, I coach middle school football and lacrosse and spend a lot of time cheering on my student-athletes and student-performers!

Looking forward to this course!

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Hello Everyone! My name is Kellie Edwards and I am a 3rd grade teacher in  the small rural town of North Stonington, CT. This is my first year teaching and I love it! Before this, I worked as a para last year  at this school and worked at a preschool throughout my college career. I am currently enrolled in Lesley's Language and Literacy program because I want to learn more about teaching literacy! It's such an important part of life and being able to teach it effectively is a goal of mine.

Aside from teaching, you can find me hanging out with my husband and two fur babies, my German Shepherds, Bosco and Duke.

I am looking forward to this course!

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Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Hammon. I am a Fourth Grade teacher from Northern Arizona. This is my sixth year teaching and I find my work more rewarding the longer I teach. Currently, I am enrolled in Lesley's Language and Literacy Program which is both challenging and informative! When I'm not teaching, I'm chasing my three girls (ages 7, 4, and 19 Months) and our little Malti-Poo named Gir. I am excited to work and grow with all of you!

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Hello everyone! My name is Emily Achilles and I am a 2nd Grade Teacher in Denver, Colorado. I have been teaching 2nd grade for the past 3 years, and have also taught 3rd grade and 6-8th grade Social Studies. I am enrolled in Lesley's graduate program for Language and Literacy, which I am really passionate about.  I have always been an avid reader and enjoy sparking the same passion in my own students. I am excited to learn and grow with each of you throughout this course!

Best, Emily

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My name is Taylor Petersen and I am so excited to get to know all of you! This is my second year in Boston as well as my second year of experience in schools. I am currently a 4th and 5th grade special education paraprofessional in Brookline, MA. Last year I was an assistant kindergarten teacher, so this year has been a big change but I am loving every minute of it! Prior to that, I completed my degree in psychology, certification in elementary education, and endorsement to teach English as a foreign language in Washington at Gonzaga University.
As soon as I completed all of my MTELs to make my certification relevent here in Massachusetts, I decided to jump right into grad school. I am enrolled in the Curriculum and Instruction program at Lesley and am so pleased with it so far!
Growing up I always LOVED school. I hope to create an environment for my students that inspires them and fosters a love of learning in them too.

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Hi everyone,
My name is Julianne Flannery and I am currently a third grade special education teacher in Holliston, MA. Previously, I in Holbrook, MA for two years. While there, I was first a fifth grade special educator and then moved up with my caseload to sixth grade. I teach across all content areas and provide the most intervention in the areas of math and reading. This is my third year teaching after my graduation from Providence College in 2014. I am currently enrolled in the Curriculum and Instruction Masters program at Lesley University. My favorite subject to study as an elementary school student was reading, as I felt strongest in this subject. I loved reading groups (especially when allowed to read books at my personal "just right" level) and completing projects to demonstrate understanding instead of completing assessments.

Looking forward to this course with everyone!  Best of luck!

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As the course instructor, I am very interested in knowing something about the students in the class.  One of the benefits of teaching a face-to-face class is the ability to see and interact with students.  But I have also found that there a benefits to on-line classes.  This is one example.  By using padlet, I can get to know something about each student and through the varied technological tools we can have more interaction, because on-line there is the opportunity for every class member to interact with me and with your fellow students.  As far as a picture, I'm not really fond of my own picture, so I thought I post one with my best bud.....he's better looking!