GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAMS
"Home Sweet Classroom" is the motto here. Our classroom is welcoming, fun, respectful, and one that is always on a mission to learn. There is a saying that resonated with me, and I'd like to share it with my community of learners:
May your passion drive the energy you put forth in the pursuit of your academic goals this year. :)
As we work together this year, I am eager to learn what each of my students are passionate about, what visions they hold, and what excites them about each new day. It's important. It's often the compass that leads us to the right opportunities and adventures attitude and mindset to pursue them.
The acronym REACH stands for Realizing Excellence through Academic Challenges, but I also like to think of it as everything is within REACH when you are a passionate worker. Both the REACH & PEP programs provide an exceptional opportunity for students here at Defino to grow as learners. It's within these walls where students discover their excellence and it's where the collaboration regularly feels cohesive and productive. The children work diligently to meet obtainable goals while growing socially, emotionally, and academically. During the year, students will be developing skills to help them become sophisticated problem solvers as well as communicators of information through various mediums. Projects are continually accessed through the Google platform, and we are actively utilizing the new technology offered within the district. Classroom assignments, announcements, and projects can be accessed through our Google Classroom page.
Let's make it our goal to imagine a great year ahead. Imagine being so excited to do something that you don't need your alarm clock to wake you up! Imagine the productivity and the successes in your corner because... "the power of imagination makes us infinite" - John Muir
*~ A look inside our PEP & REACH classroom*~
Our classroom promotes individuality as well as team building experiences. In this nurturing environment where children feel very comfortable working through crafted lessons, they learn how to have insightful and analytical conversations with their peers. Gifted learners need experiences that are rich, and this classroom is geared to suit their needs. Learning experiences that are organized by key concepts and discipline rather than rote memorization of facts, are essential to successful gifted instruction. These students look forward to entering a classroom that is respectful to them and one that provides structure and choice. The goal is to help these learners achieve more than they initially thought they could. Throughout the year, collectively, we are going to expand our minds through various disciplines and provoke intelligent and insightful conversations. We will hone in on many of the students' advanced talents and design curriculum that compliments their natural abilities to think outside the box.
*~ Reading Instruction~*
Becoming a reader and writer takes dedication and perseverance. When children learn how to communicate their ideas through different genres and mediums, they begin to discover how powerful writing can be. I enjoy teaching the fundamental skills that help children become successful readers and writers. These two subjects go hand in hand in helping us all better understand ourselves. When we discover who we are and what we are passionate about, we can begin to find careers and develop ways to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others. Advancing our reading and writing skills will build our confidence on how we communicate with the world. Most importantly, it allows the process of reflection to unfold naturally, and that is when children begin to discover who they are and what they connect with. A print-rich environment is essential in promoting literary skills. The reading instruction that takes place during the reading class is enriching, core comprehensive, and encompasses the right skills to help children read for understanding. Many of the novels we read have worldly settings, universal themes, and are designed to target deep level questioning. Throughout the course of the year, children will frequently generate higher-level thinking questions. Students will engage in important text analysis through culturally rich novels. The readers in this class remember some of the literature we dissect for years to come!
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*~Mrs. Young~*
If you are visiting this page as a class parent, I'm Mrs. Young, and I look forward to meeting you. I teach the Gifted & Talented program at Defino Central and this program consists of REACH, PEP and Gifted Literacy. In previous years, I have taught grades one through five in the surrounding area. This will be my twelfth year as an elementary school teacher, and more specifically my eighth year teaching at Defino.
My career as an educator officially began when I pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University at Albany. Subsequently, I furthered my education with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Monmouth University. Additionally, in 2013, I completed Georgian Court University’s certification program to teach students with disabilities. I welcome the opportunity to communicate with you throughout the school year, and I'll be available to answer any questions that may arise. If you need to contact me, please feel free to email me at: [email protected]
