About Me | elissasportfolio

Thank you for taking the time to view my portfolio! I have created this website in order to show my many successes as I have pursued my Master's degree. This page will teach you more about who I am in both my personal and professional life. I attended Michigan State University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I graduated from MSU with a bachelor's degree in 2009. After I graduated, I completed my internship at an elementary school in Waterford for a third grade classroom. I am blessed to now be hired there! My career path has led me to teach 1st and 3rd grade, as well as a 1/2 split. While working, I pursued a Master's degree in Literacy Education, which I received in 2015.

Who I am Personally

I currently live in Lake Orion, MI with my husband, our two daughters, Quinn and Ayla, and our two cats, Maximus and Autumn. My husband and I have been married since October 2010 and are experiencing all of the joys of married life and home ownership!

My favorite things in life are:

My family

My friends

My pets

Teaching

Interior Design

Cooking

Exploring Nature

Arts and Crafts

Music

Swimming

My Travel Experiences

Above all, I love to travel and learn about nature and landforms. I have been to 13 different countries (click the link to see where I've been!) which I feel has really given me a perspective on different cultures and a bit of a view of our extremely diverse world. I hope to one day have visited all 50 states and every continent!

Who I am Professionally

I currently work as a first grade teacher at a public school called Grayson Elementary in the Waterford School District. Grayson is a FranklinCovey Lighthouse School, the 5th elementary school to gain this elite status in Michigan. I have been a classroom teacher since 2010. During my education at MSU, I completed my field placements in third grade classrooms. I also worked with third grade during my internship. I was very fortunate to be hired as a third grade teacher at the same school at which I completed my internship. I even was placed in the same classroom! My second year of teaching, I was asked to teach a 1/2 split with nine first graders and fifteen second graders. Since then, I have taught straight first grade classes. People always ask me which grade is my favorite. I honestly can't choose! Each year and age group has offered such different experiences that it's hard to compare them. I am just happy to be teaching -- the profession that I hoped to have even as a small child. I used to make homework for my older brother and would give him spelling tests. I remember begging my mom to buy a toy teacher kit from Oriental Trading company, complete with a chalk board, teacher's wooden pointer, blank homework pages and progress reports. It's a blessing that my dream of being a teacher has come true!

My Teaching Philosophy

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward

My dream as a teacher is to do more than just explain facts and information. I want to inspire children to have a thirst for knowledge. I want all of my students to truly enjoy learning and to push themselves to accomplish what they never thought they previously could. In order to do this, I must create an enjoyable, comfortable and collaborative learning environment that is built with respect and trust. I must show my students my own passion for learning so they can understand what a true "learner" looks like. I must be a role model, a mentor and most importantly, an inspiration.