Hello! I am excited to be your fifth grade teacher. With Eco Week & Wax Museum, fifth grade is going to be your best year at Zach Elementary.
In 2002 when Zach opened and my daughter joined the first kindergarten class, I started teaching part-time as the Advanced Reading teacher. Four years later when my son, Jeremy, started kindergarten, I switched to full-time and Fifth Grade, and I love it! I love the books we read like Sherlock Holmes and The Secret Garden. I love using the scientific method when we study plants and animal classification. I love learning about the European Explorers and the American Civil War. I love reading the powerful narratives and insightful Wax Museum research papers written by my students. I love hiking to the B17 crash site at Eco Week. I love watching 5th graders become student leaders in 5th Grade LEADS. I love it all!
In 2001, my family and I relocated to Fort Collins from Texas. We were drawn to the beautiful mountains and the quality of life. My husband, JD, works as a Sales Manager in Denver. My son, Jeremy, is currently a tenth grader at Fossil Ridge High School. and my daughter, Mallory, is a sophomore at Colorado University in Boulder.
When I was a little kid, my dream was to become a writer. I wrote for my high school paper and studied Journalism in college, but I think, in my heart, I always wanted to be a teacher. So like many college students, I changed my major. After graduating, I went on to get my Masters of Education in the area of Reading Instruction.
Needless to say I love reading. When I am not reading, I am either working in my garden, walking two very cute dogs, or tending to my chickens. My family and I also love to go up into the mountains and camp. I recently learned how to ride a dirt bike so I can go riding with my husband and son.
I am looking forward to a great year of fun and learning.
Smiles, Mrs. Hale
