Timonium Elementary School

Learn. Inspire. Challenge. Create.

For me, teaching has always been the family business.  Growing up the youngest of five children I spent my days playing school with my siblings (two of which are now teachers); listening to aunts, uncles, and cousins relate stories from their teaching experiences; and learning patience and persistence from my father, who taught high school math for 49 years.  I knew at a very young age that I wanted to become an elementary school teacher.

There was a brief moment during my undergraduate career at Salisbury University where I thought about heading down a corporate path, and I graduated in 2004 with a degree in Communications with minors in Marketing and History.  Shortly after graduation however, I realized that my first love was working with children and I quickly enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Teaching program at Towson University.

I graduated from Towson in 2006 and spent the next seven years teaching 2nd and 4th grade at Reisterstown Elementary.  When this opportunity arose to transfer closer to home, I was happy to join the Timonium family.  I am excited to teach reading and language arts to my favorite age group while continuing my family legacy!

We have a wonderful school year ahead of us. I am excited to be able to work and learn with you. I hope you like projects, because this year I have planned some enriching projects and reports for you to share with your classmates. Along with our fifth grade curriculum, you will also learn some Spanish and Sign Language. We will be able to communicate in all kinds of ways!

I have been teaching since 2001 in Baltimore County. I have always taught third grade and I enjoy every aspect of teaching. I am happily married to a middle school teacher who also works in Baltimore County. We have two beautiful sons, Carter and Bryce who make each day an exciting adventure! I have my undergrad from Goucher College and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Towson University. I am half Chinese and I enjoy sharing my culture with my students. I believe in hard work and setting high goals. We are all fantastic learners, and we will learn from each other as we share our ideas with one another.

When I first thought about becoming a teacher, I wanted to teach all kinds of students from all backgrounds. I wanted to see the “ah-ha’s” and the spark in their eyes when the students were interested in learning. The joy of teaching students was a dream of mine that I had since childhood. All I have ever wanted to do is teach children.

Now after teaching for several years, I have found that my philosophy of teaching has changed. I still enjoy the “ah-ha’s” and smiles when a student realizes they have learned something great. I have also realized that with teaching one needs to be patient, kind, to have unconditional love and care, be tolerant and have the willingness to make mistakes and grow from them. As a teacher I believe that students are at their most vulnerable and the way I teach will influence many decisions and choices they will encounter throughout their lives. As a teacher, I help guide students’ views on learning and unintentionally provide them with the morals and virtues that they can use later in life.

I believe very strongly that to understand students is to truly teach students. I believe that the spice to effective learning is variety and a willingness to not stick with old ways rather, to be a barrier breaker when it comes to making the curriculum come alive and spark enthusiasm in my students.
Teaching can be a very fulfilling job and each day brings a new adventure with new hurdles and learning to be accomplished. Not only do I teach my students, they also teach me. I believe a good teacher listens to their students, evaluates their learning, and is willing to change routine and try new techniques for the well being of the students and the teacher.