About our classroom
Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Schott, and I work closely with the regular education classroom teachers. A major benefit of this classroom to your child is the lower student-teacher ratio, enabling us to give each child more individualized attention and instruction in a highly structured setting. Our ultimate goal is to help make it possible for your child to succeed in the regular education classroom to the greatest degree possible for him/her.
My classroom uses the same math and reading series as the regular education classrooms, so your child will be learning the same information and bringing home the same books as the other first grade students. We also supplement the reading program with the Starting Comprehension series to give the students early and additional practice with reading comprehension. For spelling, we use a word pattern approach using letters and spellings as they're introduced in the reading series.
My classroom behavior system is outlines in your Open House packet. In general, we appropach discipline in a problem-solving manner, seeking to first identify the reason for the behavior and then to teach, model, and practice more appropriate ways to behave. As the goal is for our students to be able to participate in the regular education classroom, inappropriate behavior must be consistently addressed. Your support and teamwork will help your child to be successful.
My classroom uses the same math and reading series as the regular education classrooms, so your child will be learning the same information and bringing home the same books as the other first grade students. We also supplement the reading program with the Starting Comprehension series to give the students early and additional practice with reading comprehension. For spelling, we use a word pattern approach using letters and spellings as they're introduced in the reading series.
My classroom behavior system is outlines in your Open House packet. In general, we appropach discipline in a problem-solving manner, seeking to first identify the reason for the behavior and then to teach, model, and practice more appropriate ways to behave. As the goal is for our students to be able to participate in the regular education classroom, inappropriate behavior must be consistently addressed. Your support and teamwork will help your child to be successful.
About Mrs. Geisen
I live in Edwardsville with my husband and three sons. During my free time, I enjoy biking, running, volleyball, camping, and reading, but most of my time is spent figuring out supper and running kids to practice!
I graduated from SIUE in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Special Education and am currently working on my Master's degree. This is my eleventh year teaching in the Whiteside School District and my tenth year teaching at this grade level.
I love teaching first grade because so much happens this year. It is so exciting to see the kids begin to take off with their reading and math skills. I love to be a part of that!
I graduated from SIUE in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Special Education and am currently working on my Master's degree. This is my eleventh year teaching in the Whiteside School District and my tenth year teaching at this grade level.
I love teaching first grade because so much happens this year. It is so exciting to see the kids begin to take off with their reading and math skills. I love to be a part of that!
About our aides
We are lucky enough to have two wonderful aides supporting our classroom. We have worked together as a team for seven years now!
Mrs. Schott retired after teaching first grade for 36 years at Wolf Branch School and has been in our classroom ever since! In her free time, she loves to shop and spend time with friends and family...especially her grandson!
Mrs. Smith served for 20 years in the US Navy. She lives with her family in Belleville and loves scrapbooking.