Hello! Hola! Yokwe! I am so happy that you've stopped by my classroom website. You are welcome to take a look around and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments that you may have.
CURRENTLY...
I teach 7th grade literacy at Sonora Middle School, in the Springdale, Arkansas Public School District. My classroom is multi-cultural with a large percentage of Hispanic and Marshallese students. I became a teacher in 2012 through the Arkansas Professional Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL) program with the Arkansas Department of Education, and I am currently working on a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Since becoming a teacher, I've added teaching endorsements in English Second Language (ESL) and eMINTS (teaching with technology). I spent my summer improving my skills as a reading and writing teacher, with the highlight being a week long trip to Columbia University in New York City to attend Summer Institute through the Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project. This was intense training and I'm looking forward to bringing my new knowledge and skills back to the classroom for maximum student growth.
PREVIOUSLY...
Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years at home with my four children, and helping my husband with his business. When my children all began school, I started substitute teaching at their elementary and middle schools. Being in the classroom and building rapport with the students came easily to me, and it gave me a strong desire to earn my own teaching license. So, at the age of 42, I went back to college and began studying. It was hard, but it was so worth it to me. My favorite quote is by opera singer Beverly Sills, who said, "There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going." She is completely right.
AND BEFORE THAT...
I earned my bachelor's degree in Journalism in 1989 at Arkansas State University and worked in the field of Public Relations for several years. This career gave me a love of the written word that continues today. I truly enjoy teaching students how to express their thoughts, opinions, and arguments through writing; and how to learn about the past and imagine the future through reading.
WIFE AND MOM...
I married my husband, Dr. Marty Turner, in 1989. We have three sons and one daughter. My oldest son, Jesse, is a senior in college and is a sculptor. He is also an avid cyclist and competes in cyclocross and mountainbike races on the weekends. He plays banjo and bass guitar with his friends and rides a motorcycle around town. My second oldest son is Chas and he is a sophomore in college, studying for a degree in history, and then he plans to attend seminary and serve in the ministry. Chas works part time in construction and loves to play video games and football. Reid is 15 and my youngest son. He is a sophomore in high school and is a starter on the senior high football team as a running back. He has an Instagram page, muricanuniforms, with almost 13,000 followers, where he posts uniform edits. My only daughter is also my youngest child, Scarlett. She is in ninth grade and is on the cross country team for her school. She is also a singer and is learning to play guitar. Thankfully all of my children have very high grades. They have a pretty good work ethic and a lot of integrity. My husband and I are very proud and enjoy watching them compete in their various activities.
MY HOBBIES...
In my spare time (which is rare), I love singing in my church worship team, and reading a great book. I also like to travel and visit all types of historical places and museums. I absolutely LOVE to learn. I'm just a nerd at heart.
CURRENTLY...
I teach 7th grade literacy at Sonora Middle School, in the Springdale, Arkansas Public School District. My classroom is multi-cultural with a large percentage of Hispanic and Marshallese students. I became a teacher in 2012 through the Arkansas Professional Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL) program with the Arkansas Department of Education, and I am currently working on a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Since becoming a teacher, I've added teaching endorsements in English Second Language (ESL) and eMINTS (teaching with technology). I spent my summer improving my skills as a reading and writing teacher, with the highlight being a week long trip to Columbia University in New York City to attend Summer Institute through the Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project. This was intense training and I'm looking forward to bringing my new knowledge and skills back to the classroom for maximum student growth.
PREVIOUSLY...
Before becoming a teacher, I spent several years at home with my four children, and helping my husband with his business. When my children all began school, I started substitute teaching at their elementary and middle schools. Being in the classroom and building rapport with the students came easily to me, and it gave me a strong desire to earn my own teaching license. So, at the age of 42, I went back to college and began studying. It was hard, but it was so worth it to me. My favorite quote is by opera singer Beverly Sills, who said, "There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going." She is completely right.
AND BEFORE THAT...
I earned my bachelor's degree in Journalism in 1989 at Arkansas State University and worked in the field of Public Relations for several years. This career gave me a love of the written word that continues today. I truly enjoy teaching students how to express their thoughts, opinions, and arguments through writing; and how to learn about the past and imagine the future through reading.
WIFE AND MOM...
I married my husband, Dr. Marty Turner, in 1989. We have three sons and one daughter. My oldest son, Jesse, is a senior in college and is a sculptor. He is also an avid cyclist and competes in cyclocross and mountainbike races on the weekends. He plays banjo and bass guitar with his friends and rides a motorcycle around town. My second oldest son is Chas and he is a sophomore in college, studying for a degree in history, and then he plans to attend seminary and serve in the ministry. Chas works part time in construction and loves to play video games and football. Reid is 15 and my youngest son. He is a sophomore in high school and is a starter on the senior high football team as a running back. He has an Instagram page, muricanuniforms, with almost 13,000 followers, where he posts uniform edits. My only daughter is also my youngest child, Scarlett. She is in ninth grade and is on the cross country team for her school. She is also a singer and is learning to play guitar. Thankfully all of my children have very high grades. They have a pretty good work ethic and a lot of integrity. My husband and I are very proud and enjoy watching them compete in their various activities.
MY HOBBIES...
In my spare time (which is rare), I love singing in my church worship team, and reading a great book. I also like to travel and visit all types of historical places and museums. I absolutely LOVE to learn. I'm just a nerd at heart.