A Glance
At the Gliddens
Family
My husband, Steve, and I have lived in Texas long enough now to love it. We enjoy being grandparents a lot. We also enjoy playing with our fox terrier, Skeeter. We adopted Penny, a yellow tabby cat, this summer. Skeeter is slowly learning new social skills.
We have 3 married children and 5 grandchildren ranging in ages from 15 to 3 years. They do not live close, so we don't get to see them as often as we would like. We enjoy having them visit us often.
Our newest hobby and source of work as well as fun is Zipy1- our
rail buggy. We enjoy evening excursions through the Texas countryside and going on buggy rallies. Zipy1 will probably show up in the parking lot
a few times this year - you just never know.
Experience
I have been privileged to be part of the Ford Elementary staff since it's beginning. My previous teaching experience has included kindergarten through middle school. Prior to moving to Georgetown, I taught language arts and technology classes at Bloomington dePaul Learning Center, a school for students who have learning differences. I have been a Title I teacher and taught in a computer lab for more years than I care to mention. Top
Education
B.S. - Elementary Education - Union College
M.S. - Reading - Pittsburg State University
CALT - Dyslexia Therapist -Neuhaus Education Center Top
Philosophy
My idea of the perfect teacher is one, who inspires learning in addition to just relating the required facts. A certain amount of creativity, enthusiasm, and motivation is required of the teacher.
The three major philosophies that correspond, at least in part, to my ideals are Essentialism, Progressivism and Behaviorism. In Essentialism, the teacher serves as an intellectual and moral role model for the students and the academic program is rigorous for both slow and fast learners. In addition, it is hoped that when the students leave school, they will possess not only basic skills and an extensive body of knowledge, but disciplined and practical minds as well.
Progressive teachers plan lessons to arouse curiosity and push the student to a higher level of knowledge. The students are encouraged to learn by doing and to interact with one another. This develops social virtues such as cooperation and tolerance for different points of view. In addition, students solve problems in the classroom similar to those they will encounter outside school, which provides them with the tools needed to become flexible problem solvers in preparation for adult lives.
According to the Behaviorist, it depends on the skill of the teacher to create an environment where appropriate structures exist that facilitate learning and establish acceptable behavior within the classroom. By positive reinforcement, students will behave well toward one another, sit quietly and listen, and participate when needed. These behaviors are just as essential as learning the curriculum.
My personal philosophy is drawn from the above list. I believe that all children can achieve their full potential as they follow the educational path, if they are given the basics the Essentialists extol, the individualism and cooperative learning environments the Progressivists commend, the reinforcement of Behaviorism, and the three C's –care, concern and connection. The vision of my classroom reflects all of these points. It is my hope that, as I impart the knowledge needed, I will also manage to inspire and motivate my students to seek more by showing them that they can have fun in the search. This is inevitably a challenge, but one that I strive to achieve. Top
Poem by Digby Wolfe