Pre-college

    Mainly, I grew up in two cities, Saugus and Lompoc, which are both in Southern California.  My earliest memories, like playing with my neighbor Patrick and riding tricycles at Rosedell, began in Saugus.  During third grade my family moved to Lompoc, CA, which is near Santa Maria.  I lived there for almost seven years.  My most vivid memories include playing the violin within the district’s strings program, jumping on my friend’s trampoline, and being in Mrs. Newcomb’s English class.  Before my sophomore year in high school my family moved back to Saugus, so I began at Saugus High School.  I was the shy new kid, but by the end of my senior year I had become an outgoing, involved student.  I was an active member of B.E.S.T. (science club), National Honors Society, Key Club, one of the editor-in-chiefs for the yearbook, and the vice president of the Red Cross Youth In Action.  I went to college considering becoming a genetic counselor, but I always remembered my influential teachers.  At Saugus High School I will never forget Mrs. Clark, my government teacher, who took the time everyday to greet each student with a “Happy Monday.”  I will remember the long hours spent with Mrs. Granfors when yearbook deadlines were approaching and becoming one of here grammar warriors in her English class.

College: Undergraduate

    UC Davis attracted me because of its strong genetics program and emphasis on research.  After two years of being a genetics major, I finally realized my major did not suit me.  I had been participating in various internships since my freshman year within the health sciences, but I realized every internship involved working with children.  I decided to try interning in a third grade classroom and this solidified my decision to become an elementary level teacher.  I changed my major to human development with a minor in education.  This is a major I enjoyed, unlike genetics.  I graduated from UC Davis in June of 2005 with plans to enter their Teaching Credential/Masters program in the Fall. 

Teaching Credential/Masters Program

    Currently, I am in the UC Davis Teaching Credential/Masters program.  I began student teaching in early August and began coursework in September.  I student teach for a third grade class in a rural town about eight miles from Davis.  Being with my students everyday is the best part of the program.  Also, I am extremely fortunate to have my Master Teacher, who has been an excellent model of a caring, consistent, and effective teacher.  During my student teaching my Master Teacher had surgery and was out of the classroom for a month.  Though this is unfortunate, I had the opportunity to substitute during this period of time.  I loved every minute of it!  It amazes me how natural it felt to take over the class and how smoothly my students transitioned.  After eight months of student teaching in third grade I moved to teaching in a kindergarten classroom in Davis, CA.  What a change!  I am currently in this classroom and I'm learning how to differentiate instruction, break down concepts, and to teach the beginning steps of writing.  This experience in the classroom, coupled with my coursework at UC Davis, makes me feel prepared for my own classroom next school year.  Mostly though, I am just excited!