Personal Statement about Angela:  Five years ago when I turned in my resignation letter after teaching first graders and in early childhood programs for over three decades, I knew that there would be more wonderful ways for me to explore child development.  The next opportunity for me was when some of the second generation students along with their parents that I had taught, became a part of a weekly music/movement program we developed together. One of my student teachers helped to plan each lesson. I loved the collaboration among each of the participants.

One of the benefits I cherished from my years of teaching, in addition to witnessing daily growth among my students, was the opportunity to explore ideas from creative educator–parents, colleagues, business professionals, students.

I took advantage of a wide range of subjects to pursue—literacy, mathematics training, music, and character education focusing on early learners. I studied how to successfully teach problem solving using ethical decision making models. I collected hundreds of stories, books, songs, open ended art activities and games for children to utilize as they practiced life skills in getting along with one another.

As I participated in these endeavors, I noticed that it was through the use of children’s literature that I felt most successful in making needed connections.  Literacy development is crucial as we help our children become critical thinkers.  The growth over the past 50 years in the field of children’s literature is evident in the variety of genres and subject matter available for our young readers.

Literacy support means that we provide a learning environment which is trusting, secure, exciting and free from criticism enabling students to blossom! When children are encouraged to listen, speak and write down their thoughts—without judgment —straight from their everyday play, they thrive. I delight in the learning process and in sharing with others ways for children to accomplish reading and writing success. Along with my two youngest grandchildren, I formed book clubs for kindergarteners, first, second and third grade friends. 

Our most recent venture is called Rhythm Rhyme and StoryTime where little ones up to age 3 with their adults participate weekly in a very special book club just for them!

Personal Information About Angela:

Founder and Director, Learning World, LLC, 2012-Present

Support Teacher & Early Childhood Consultant, National Presbyterian School, Washington, D.C.,  2016-2020

Music Specialist, Penny Lane Early Childhood Center, Elsah, Illinois, 2014-2016

Parkway School District, St. Louis, MO Oasis Intergenerational Tutor, 2013-2016

Center Director, Music Together LLC, 2012-2016

Lead Teacher, Independent Private School, St. Louis, MO. Principia School  1990-2013
First Grade
Design, develop and implement unique curriculum each year incorporating progressive innovations in early childhood education. Program includes experiential-education elements such as weekly outdoor explorations, constructivist activities, and differentiated instruction. Work closely with parents through weekly parenting newsletters, annual workshops, tutoring, regular one-on-one consultations, and book clubs.

Lead teacher of Early Childhood, 1985-1990

Reading Tutor, 1968-Present

Lecturer/Workshop Facilitator, 1983-Present
Guest lecturer for children’s literature  college classes and early childhood education centers.

Presenter on “Linking Ethics Into the Elementary Curriculum” for Independent Schools for St. Louis region, St. Louis Recreation Dept., Cooperating School District Character Education Conferences.

Founder and Director, Neighborhood School Programs
Tallahassee, Florida 1972-1975; St. Louis, Missouri 1983-1984
Launched and directed experiential education community early childhood programs.

EDUCATION 

Webster University, Master’s at Teaching (MAT), 1988
St. Louis Missouri, GPA 4.0 (4.0 scale)

Florida State University, Bachelor of Arts (BA), 1976
Tallahassee, Florida, GPA 3.7 (4.0 scale) 

CERTIFICATION AND COURSES

• Music Together LLC – Registered Teacher and Center Director Center for Music and Young Children
• International Literacy Association – Certified in literacy and phonics
• Responsive Classroom: Northeast Foundation for Children – Certified in education empowerment
• Lindamood-Bell – Certified in phonemic sequencing
• Understanding by Design – Certified in curriculum design
• Focus St. Louis – Certified in education leadership
• Six+ Traits Writing Skill Development-Certified in Writers’ Workshop methods
• Professional Learning Communities – Leader in development and implementation
• Reggio Emelia – Training in facilitation
• Four-Blocks – Certified in literacy instruction
• Math-In-Focus-Certified in elementary math curriculum
• Institute for Global Ethics – Certified in ethics education/Train the Trainer program
• Webster University Community Music School
• The Oasis Institute – Certified in Intergenerational Tutoring Parkway School District