Friday, October 17, 2008

Welcome Laura Stewart!

Laura Stewart is joining the Kindergarten team this year after the year started becuse of the growth at Chets Creek! She will be working with students on a safety net, Reading Mastery, in the morning and then joining Nina Thomas in the afternoons.

Laura has lived in Jacksonville for most of her life, and is a product of Duval County Public Schools. She was even a 3rd grade student of our Principal Susan Phillips!

Laura graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2007 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She concentrated in Physical Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences. She also has minors in Sociology and Religious Studies. After graduating, Laura quickly realized that her plans to enter the Non-Profit field needed to be reevaluated. After spending a few months weighing her options, Laura began substitute teaching in the spring of 2008. She held a long-term assignment at Oceanway Elementary School in 2nd Grade, and most recently covered for a Kindergarten teacher on maternity leave at Holiday Hill Elementary School.

Deciding to enter teaching was not a huge surprise to Laura or her family. All four members of Laura’s immediate family have now been teachers. Laura’s mom is in her 20th year of teaching at Oceanway Elementary School in 2nd grade, and Laura’s dad teaches in the Career Academy (Business & Entrepreneurship) at Ed White High School. Laura’s older brother, Allen, has also spent time teaching. After spending two years teaching English at Sandalwood High School, Allen is now in his second year at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta where he is studying to become a minister.

Laura loves to spend time with her boyfriend, family, and friends. She also works as a youth group leader at her church, and has recently taken on the daunting task of helping to lead the youth choir.

Laura is thrilled to begin her teaching career at such an amazing school! She is looking forward to soaking up all of knowledge and experience of the wonderful faculty and students at Chets Creek!

11 comments:

Mrs. Lauren Skipper said...

Welcome Laura!

Anonymous said...

We are so excited that you have joined our Kindergarten team!

Sherrie Rabe said...

Laura,
Welcome to CCE!! I went to Holiday Hill Elementary when I was a little girl and I substituted there before I started teaching 18 years ago. I also have an old friend who teaches at Holiday Hill you may know her - Kerri Ricks Hall?? Hmmmmm it is a small world. Hope to see you around. I'm upstairs in the best 4th grade class ever!! Come see me!!
Sherrie Anderson

Anonymous said...

Hey Laura,

We totally enjoyed having you spend the day with us in our 3rd grade classes. The kids loved you and have asked about the "lady visiting from the White House" and the "girl from Hollywood". I guess I will have to tell them after spending the week at CCE...you decided to stay. Lucky us! Welcome to Chets. Just because you are a downstairs person now, don't hesitate to come visit with us again upstairs. We'd love to see you again.

Debbie Rossignol

Angela Phillips said...

Welcome Laura!
Glad to have you join our amazing crew. Don't hesitate to ask if you ever need anything! Enjoy your year!

Michelle Ellis & Debby Cothern said...

We are so glad to have you Laura! Let us know if we can do anything for you. It is going to be a great year with you on our team!!
Debby and Michelle

Anonymous said...

Laura,

Welcome to Chets. What a cool story. Was Ms. Phillips nice back then?

I am so glad that you landed in paradise. You are surrounded by awesome people, just soak it in!

Just one piece of caution, please stay away from Moe and Tom at all costs!

Have a great 1st year!

Tom

Anonymous said...

Welcome to CCE Laura! I'm in room #225 if you need anything.
Wanda Lankford :)

Melanie Holtsman said...

You were meant to be with us! We're so happy to have you. :)

Meli O'Leary said...

From one newcomer to another...WELCOME! It's my first year at Chets and already I know this is where I was meant to be. ITs a magical place where you will learn more than you ever thought you could...and more! Congrats!!!

Mrs. Felter said...

Welcome Laura!

dayle, you do such a wonderful job of making new teachers fell comfy at Chets!

Sincerely,
Jessie