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Happy Birthday! Here I Am, World!
On July 30, 1986 I was born in Manchester, NH. -
Nightly Bedtime Stories -- First Introduction to Books
Everynight, starting at the age of 12 months, my mother and father read bedtime stories to me. This was my first real experience with books and stories. Although I do not have clear memories of every book that was read, I did start to memorize my favorite books in their entirety beginning around the age of 18 months. -
Welcome Sister! I Hope You Like to Read!
My little sister was born on February 6, 1989. From the day she came home from the hospital, I was reading books to her. As she got older she started to refuse to listen, but I still tried to make her love books as much as I did. -
Off We Go To Preschool
In the fall on 1990, I was enrolled in the local Preschool. I remember loving the classroom library. All of my free-choice time was spent looking at books and reading sight words within them. -
Welcome to Elementary School!
The the fall of 1992, I entered into First Grade. I had the best teacher. She loved literacy and integrated it throughout all content areas. She fostered creativity and I looked up to her. This was the point I realized I wanted to become a teacher to be just like her. -
Play Dates and Playing School
During my first years of Elementary School, anytime my friends and I would get together for a play date, we would play school. We would each try to take turns being the teacher, grading papers and teaching lessons. -
Third Grade -- Predict My Future Project
During my Third Grade year in Elementary School, the class was assigned a project to create a model of our future. I dressed up as a teacher and created a 3-dimensional model of myself teaching a classroom full of children. My third grade teacher was also an inpirational figure in my life. Around this time, technology and computers were becoming quite popular in my area. My teacher started to integrate technology into the classroom. I found it fascinating. -
Good-bye Elementary School!
At the end of June 1996, I graduated from Elementary School. I was more sure than ever that I wanted to become an Elementary School Teacher at this point. I had a really positive experience all throughout Elementary School and was inspired by so many teachers. I wanted to postively impact the lives of others the way mine was impacted. -
Nice to Meet You: Author Visit
During one of my two middle school years, Jerry Palotta visited our school to discuss his books and illustrations. I was so inspired by Jerry Palotta and his work. This visit motivated me to continue on my path to becoming a teacher. -
Welcome to High School
I enrolled in college-prep courses at Manchester Memorial High School. Any electives I had were used for child development, childcare/education classes. -
High School Observations/Practicum
During my Sophomore year in High School, a Practicum was available at the Elementary School next door to assist classroom teachers and work with the students . Everyday afterschool, I went next door to read with students, help them with assignments or assist the teacher with daily tasks. This was the best experience because it definitely made me know that with 100% certainty, I wanted to become a teacher. -
High School Graduation
On June 18, 2004, I graduated from High School with Honors. I had taken many college-prep courses and all of my electives were in the childcare/education field. -
Welcome to College!
I began taking classes through Plymouth State University. I enrolled in the Childhood Studies/Education Major with a Teacher K-8 Certification Option. I loved going to class and learning about different learning strategies and techniques to learn in the classroom. -
Student Teaching
At the end of my Senior year in college, I student taught at an inner city school in Manchester, NH. This experience led me to want to teach in inner-city schools. I saw the impact teachers had on their students and how they were a positive role-model in their life. -
College Graduation
On May 17, 2008, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Plymouth State University. I applied for Certification in the state of New Hampshire and began my job search. -
My First Job Offer
On August 25, 2008 I accepted my first job in the field of Education. I was a Title 1 K-1 Reading Assistant in Pembroke, NH. Here is where I discovered my passion for reading and writing. I loved working with struggling students and felt intrinsically rewarded everyday. I learned strategies, programs and techniques to assist young children in learning how to read and write. -
Accepted a Classroom Teacher Position
On June 1, 2009 I was offered and accepted a Classroom Teacher position with the Derry, NH school district. I was hired to work in a third grade classroom. I loved this grade, but found myself dreaming of one day becoming a Reading Specialist and supporting teachers and the reading curriculum. -
My Wedding
I got married on July 10, 2010 to my high school sweetheart, Jason Gagnon. -
Enrolled in M.Ed Program at Rivier
In early July 2011, I applied and was accepted into the Reading and Writing M. Ed program at Rivier College. I was very excited to begin my coursework and become knowledgeable in the reading and writing field of education. -
Today...
At the present time I am a Kindergarten Teacher in Derry, NH. I am also halfway through my program. I look forward to graduating, gaining more experience as a classroom teacher and one day becoming a certified reading and writing specialist.
