I came to the teaching profession later than most professionals. As a parent and a professional, it became apparent early on that educating the whole child is vitally important. I believe the whole child approach nurtures all areas of a child’s development. This includes social-emotional and cognitive skills, such as literacy, math, and science understanding. This foundation originates in the home. A child comes to school at an early age not as a blank slate, but as a composition that is in the early stages. I stayed home with my three children when they were young. It was important to me that they receive a solid beginning in the home before they were thrust out into the world. I felt it was meaningful to create an environment of learning and exploration in the home at a very early age. I believe that parents have obligations to expose their little ones to a world of wonderment. This is easily done through literature, exploring nature first-hand, and games among other things. Most parents have access to free books, videos, and games at local libraries. If parents have the means, exploration through travel (even if it is local) is also key in fostering a love of life-long learning. As a professional educator with 21 years of experience, I have come to appreciate that focussing on the basics is necessary when approaching most subject matter. This is never more true than it is for reading and mathematics. Young readers must have a firm foundation in reading comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary building. These are key to a child’s psyche as a reader and a learner. Throughout my career, I have taught two camps of readers…those who are learning to read and those who are reading to learn. Both of these are equally important. The same is true for math. Children who do not know their basic math facts will have difficulties doing multi-digit addition and subtraction. Children who have difficulties establishing a firm foundation of number sense will not be as successful as the students who have that foundation firmly in place. How is a student expected to understand fractions and factorization if he/she does not know his/her basic multiplication/division facts? In my classroom, math has always been the hour students look most forward to. Even the most trepidatious math students looked forward to the math hour. My philosophy has paid off time and time again as demonstrated by the growth in reading and math that my elementary students have achieved throughout my career. This has been proven year after year when the standardized test (growth) scores became available each winter and spring; and then again when the state assessment results come back in the summer. I retired from public education in May of 2022. I am excited to turn to a new chapter in my teaching career. I look forward to working with your child to create an environment of fun and exploration where mathematics can have a positive place in his/her life. I wish her/him success that jumps off the work-space, brings confidence, and ultimately pure joy!
Teaches Elementary
Teaching since 2001
Elementary Education Teaching Certificate
Teaches ages 5+
Has background check
I came to the teaching profession later than most professionals. As a parent and a professional, it became apparent early on that educating the whole child is vitally important. I believe the whole child approach nurtures all areas of a child’s development. This includes social-emotional and cognitive skills, such as literacy, math, and science understanding. This foundation originates in the home. A child comes to school at an early age not as a blank slate, but as a composition that is in the early stages. I stayed home with my three children when they were young. It was important to me that they receive a solid beginning in the home before they were thrust out into the world. I felt it was meaningful to create an environment of learning and exploration in the home at a very early age. I believe that parents have obligations to expose their little ones to a world of wonderment. This is easily done through literature, exploring nature first-hand, and games among other things. Most parents have access to free books, videos, and games at local libraries. If parents have the means, exploration through travel (even if it is local) is also key in fostering a love of life-long learning. As a professional educator with 21 years of experience, I have come to appreciate that focussing on the basics is necessary when approaching most subject matter. This is never more true than it is for reading and mathematics. Young readers must have a firm foundation in reading comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary building. These are key to a child’s psyche as a reader and a learner. Throughout my career, I have taught two camps of readers…those who are learning to read and those who are reading to learn. Both of these are equally important. The same is true for math. Children who do not know their basic math facts will have difficulties doing multi-digit addition and subtraction. Children who have difficulties establishing a firm foundation of number sense will not be as successful as the students who have that foundation firmly in place. How is a student expected to understand fractions and factorization if he/she does not know his/her basic multiplication/division facts? In my classroom, math has always been the hour students look most forward to. Even the most trepidatious math students looked forward to the math hour. My philosophy has paid off time and time again as demonstrated by the growth in reading and math that my elementary students have achieved throughout my career. This has been proven year after year when the standardized test (growth) scores became available each winter and spring; and then again when the state assessment results come back in the summer. I retired from public education in May of 2022. I am excited to turn to a new chapter in my teaching career. I look forward to working with your child to create an environment of fun and exploration where mathematics can have a positive place in his/her life. I wish her/him success that jumps off the work-space, brings confidence, and ultimately pure joy!
Teaches Elementary
Teaching since 2001
Elementary Education Teaching Certificate
Teaches ages 5+
Has background check
I have known Deb for nearly 45 years and was a school board member for nearly 20 years of her career as an elementary teacher in our school system. If I had to choose two words to best encapsulate Deb, they would be PATIENT and CARING. Truly... anyone who has had Deb as their teacher (or any parent whose child has had Deb as their teacher) knows this to be true. Throughout her time of teaching, Deb was known as a teacher who was organized, reliable, patient, dedicated AND one who could handle a child that others found tp be difficult. When the pandemic hit and our schools had to scramble to meet the needs of those choosing to be online learners, it was very reassuring to have Deb serving as the online instructor for the upper elementary grades. I know that the situation was exhausting, but many times I heard directly from her how much she enjoyed and truly loved the work. As an educational professional, I have full and utter confidence in Deb's abilities. On a personal level, I feel the same. In fact, I entrusted my daughter to Deb's care when she was still a stay-at-home mom. There was no one else with whom I'd have felt as confident leaving her. I have the same level of confidence for any of you who might choose Deb to assist your child with reading and math!
I met Deb during the pandemic. We elected online learning for our then 3rd grade high abilty student. We were reserved at first, as he is 2E with significant ADHD and traits from the autism spectrum. We had feared such a drastic change to his routine with limited structure would cause him to fall back and possibly lose the momentum he had in 2nd grade. It did not take long for me to be at ease with him in her care. Deb found ways to connect with him virtually that I wasn't certain could happen. Her patience and dedication allowed our son to thrive in her care. He exceeded our expectations while mastering 4th grade curriculum as a 3rd grader and showing growth emtionally, as well as cognitvely. Deb's patience and dedication is clear in all aspects of her practice. I wouldn't have hesitated to have her teach our son in 4th grade but they did not offer remote education last year. He returned to brick and mortar and he did have more noticeable struggles. Thank you, Deb, for being a beacon of light during such a dark time and helping our son to thrive. I wouldn't hesitate to use her services in the future, if a need arises!
Mrs. Vaught was my teacher. She is very good at teaching and does very well with people who have special needs and traits. She is my favorite teacher of all time! Thank you, Mrs. Vaught!