About Annette

National Board Certified Teacher

     I am an enthusiastic, self motivated educator who enjoys learning and seeks to ignite this same love of learning within my students. I enjoy engaging students in experiential learning lessons that foster skills in cooperative learning, problem solving, and critical thinking. I also believe that students should be challenged academically. In my 4th and 5th grade, multiage, blended learning classroom, this personalized learning environment is achieved via the Odysseyware program AND project based learning that allows student opportunities to connect, question, and solve real world challenges. Working with the community, students learn from experts and provide service to citizens to make our community a stronger, better place to live each day.

     I began my teaching career in 1993.  I started teaching in a private school setting, then began working in the Anchorage School District prior to coming to the Matanuska Valley.  By this time, I was lucky to have opportunities to teach in all grade levels PK - 6.  In 2007, I began teaching at Pioneer Peak Elementary where I've taught 2nd and 4th grades.  In 2017, I was able to help PPE pilot the Blended Learning program with a 3rd and 4th grade multiage classroom.  The program was such a success, I am now teaching a 4th and 5th grade multiage classroom and PPE is adding a new 2nd and 3rd grade multiage classroom. 

    
     When I'm not teaching, I enjoy gardening, crafting, sewing, cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family. My husband, Patrick, and I have four adult children: Nathan, Nick, Lindsay, and Timothy.  Nathan is a paramedic in our borough and a new pilot, Nick is an aircraft mechanic and an EMT in our borough, Lindsay is a 3rd grade teacher at Big Lake Elementary, and Timothy is studying to be a nurse at the university. They are all very active in our community and will stop by and help in the classroom. 

     I love learning from all the children that have been and will be in my classes. My students have so much knowledge to share and make me a better teacher by working and learning together. 

Visit my class blended learning webpage HERE!

Degrees and Certifications:

DEGREES
Doctor of Education: Administrator Leadership - Teaching and Learning; Walden University - 2013

Certificate: Principal K - 12; University of Alaska - 2010

Master of Science: Educational Leadership; Walden University - 2009

Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood and Elementary Education, K - 8; Wilmington College - 1993

Associate Early Childhood Education; Ohio State University - 1989

CERTIFICATIONS
National Board Certification, middle childhood/generalist

State of Alaska: Master Teacher Certification, ages 7 - 12: full curriculum

State of Alaska: Professional Teacher Certification, K-8 Early Childhood & Elementary Education

State of Alaska: Administrative Certificate, Principal, K - 12

State of Delaware: K- 8 Early Childhood & Elementary Education