Gina Andress [1st Grade] - Mountain Charter School

1st Grade
Gina Andress
Teacher

My name is Gina Andress and I have the privilege of teaching the 1st Grade class this year. Few are the jobs where one can experience innocence, curiosity, and joy on a daily basis. I feel lucky to share my students' enthusiasm and interest in learning. I hope to help them make their early experiences in school good ones, and to help them develop a passion for learning that will last throughout their lives.

I have lived in Flagstaff for ten years. I attended Northern Arizona University, and received a degree in Elementary Education in 1997. I taught preschool and pre-kindergarten for a year. When my first child arrived, I chose to be a full-time mom for the next four years. I've been interested in teaching at Mountain School since I first heard about it years ago, and feel lucky to be a part of the wonderful staff and the positive atmosphere here. I cannot think of a better way to begin my career again after the wonderful time I've had with my children at home.

At the 1st Grade level, I feel it is important to teach with hands-on activities and to relate everything back to the child as much as possible. We try to look at the world and see the impact we make in big ways and small. I use a variety of methods, and believe that each child is an individual with his or her own needs and personal style. We do lots of cooperative learning and try new things all the time, but I strive as an educator to really know each student in my class and reach them in the best possible way as an individual. 1st Grade gives children a foundation for school establishing the routines and rules we must all learn in order to create our best environment for learning. My goal is to empower children and help them develop confidence in their abilities and their surroundings.