We’re introducing you to members of the fifth-grade teaching team! We introduced you to Michelle here back in August and told you a little more about her last week right here. This week, we’re profiling Julia!
You can also learn more about Todd, Katie, Sally, Kelly, and Kelley.
Julia has taught at TCS for over 20 years where she’s taught first/second grades, fourth grade, and sixth grade. Though she’s taught every subject, she’s mostly focused on science and math.
Before TCS, she taught adaptive physical education teacher in Baton Rouge for a year and worked for about five years as a soccer coach and has run youth sports programs for the City of Pensacola and the Decatur-DeKalb YMCA.
What skills do you hope fifth graders will learn by the time they move on to the middle grades?
My goals for my students are to be an independent learner who understands how to work collaboratively and appreciates and is comfortable in the outdoors.
How are you preparing them to learn these skills?
My personal teaching philosophy is as a scaffolder so my assignments usually have an element of flexibility that allows me to meet kids where they are and then push them to the next level. I strive to form a trusting bond with students by working in small groups and one on one as much as possible.
What about teaching makes you excited to come to school every day?
The Outdoor Education program and my ability to take classes to Piedmont Park on the fly to learn about the Piedmont ecoregion.
Tell us about one of the most rewarding moments in your teaching career.
Too many rewarding moments to consider! I love teaching and feel rewarded by my student’s respect and affection every day. I have also been honored to have great teaching partners that make me feel supported and loved.
Which fictional character would you most like to meet?
I’d love to be able to drop in on a family reunion from 100 years ago. I’d like to better understand the historical arc of how the contributions of my ancestors led to me being who I am.
What is something that none of your students know about you?
I worked as a cowgirl managing a herd of 60 ponies while in college at LSU.
