K-1 Teacher & AM/PM Kindergarten Teacher:

Polly Gaulke

Personal Background:
I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Whitworth University and a K-8 teaching certificate with endorsements in Elementary Education and Reading. I have spent eight years working in Early Childhood Education in a family-owned child development center. This will be my 1st year teaching at North Wall. I grew up in Central Washington surrounded by apple orchards and my husband and I came to Spokane in 1990. Bob and I live in Colbert with our two teenage sons, Nathan and Adam. I am excited and grateful to join a team so obviously dedicated to nurturing and educating wonderful children on a daily basis.

Philosophy of Teaching: I believe a teacher must be an absolute advocate for children, which means the teacher must promote, encourage, support, and guide the children toward the ultimate goal of becoming responsible, lifelong learners. Learning is an active process, and even young children can begin to take charge of building their knowledge. When provided with activities and materials that challenge them while providing necessary support, children build their abilities and grow in confidence.

I believe in the importance of showing children love and respect and in nurturing their uniqueness. When treated with respect and kindness, all children are capable of developing into conscientious, caring individuals. There are few other stations in life that carry the responsibility, the opportunity, and the joy of helping young people learn to develop their minds and hearts and continue a lifelong journey of learning.

Goals for the Class:

• To keep the love of learning alive and nurtured in every child
• To promote children becoming self-managers
• To promote respect of self and others
• To provide a positive sense of self
• To provide developmentally appropriate, interesting, and challenging activities
• To provide a positive educational experience

CLASS SCHEDULE**:

9:00-9:30*		MORNING CIRCLE
9:30-10:15*		theme based centers
10:15-10:30		Clean up & Snack
10:30-11:00*		Recess
11:00-11:30*		Show-N-Share
11:30-12:00		Lunch
12:00-12:30*		RECESS
12:30 - 12:45		Quiet Reading Time
12:45 - 1:00		AFTERNOON CIRCLE
1:00 - 2:15*		THEME BASED CENTERS
2:15 - 2:30		Clean Up & Snack
2:30 - 3:00*		RECESS/PE with 1st-3rd Grade

 

*Must get Director’s approval to change times
**Eating times (Snack/Lunch) must be 2-3 hours apart