pearl-staff

As an elementary school student, I would often sit in the classroom thinking “If I was the teacher. . . I would do that differently!” As a teacher, for over 30 years, that seems to be one of the forces that drives me “How can I teach that, present that, rearrange that, better?” I’m always looking for new ideas to enrich a child’s life to help them reach their potential. In my classroom where there is a will there is a way. Many times I do things that are probably too crazy, too messy, too time consuming, too funny, too noisy, for most, but the important thing is the students are having fun, and they are learning without even knowing it. Sometimes the students themselves give me great ideas for things to do, and I try to incorporate them into our day. I guess I’m just a big student that is always looking for an opportunity to be taught.

Cheerleading was always my favorite sport, which is one of the many reasons I love teaching! Every day I have the chance to get my “pom-poms” out, and cheer “You can do it! You can do it!” to my students. My aim is to: challenge my students so that they have the opportunity to reach their potential, boost their self-esteem so that they will not be afraid to try something new, and provide a positive and caring classroom community where they can feel comfortable enough to express their feelings and concerns in a respectful manner. Basically, I want them to know that I am in their corner “cheering” them on, but I am also there to help them gain new knowledge in order to perform tasks they never thought possible. GO First Graders!!

When I was a little girl, autumn was my absolute favorite time of year (well, except for Christmas of course). It meant brand new crayons and sharpened pencils, an updated fall wardrobe and even the latest in stylish book bags, all for the first day of school! SCHOOL!!....What a great place to be! A place to learn interesting facts and create works of art, with your best friends and an energetic teacher. School is still an exciting place to be, but I get to be the one inspiring students to do their best, and to learn more than they thought they could. To me it’s a job that doesn’t “feel “ like a job…..and I still get a kick out of new school supplies.

My journey to Pearl Preparatory School has been an amazing blessing from my Creator. My inspiration for teaching came from my former teachers. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Graham, at Valley View School in Duarte showed me a love for teaching, patience with students (mainly me), and her caring heart for all who were in her class. I try to give that same experience to my students each day. Mr. Ken Drain and Mr. Bob Coulter inspired me to explore my beautiful country of America and the world. I have modeled my instruction after them as I try each day to open new worlds for students to explore in the classroom. I make the learning experience fun and enjoyable just like my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Chris Horton, did for me. My college professors, Dr. Karen Russikoff and Dr. Lilianne Fucaloro, modeled a challenging, but caring spirit each day with their students, which I try to give to my students in their school endeavors. Over my 20 years of teaching I am enthusiastic about encouraging, filling with wonder, and inspiring all of my students. I hope to leave an indelible impression on their lives in positive ways.

I believe every child is born with a purpose, and I was definitely born to teach. I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school myself, and it has been everything I dreamed it would be. I treasure the moments that help each child reach for their dream and purpose in life...when a student finally "gets" long division, when a shy child makes a presentation in front of the class and smiles at the applause they receive, when a struggling student earns an A+ on the vocabulary quiz they studied hard for, when I get to quietly observe two students complete a successful science experiment by working together. These moments make my job a joy and I really look forward to each new day as an opportunity to inspire children and witness their successes.

When my children were young, they used to wonder how our family could be so big. Our family included people who helped guide, support, and love our family. When we live in community with people, over time they can become like family to us. Being a part of a school community, like Pearl, can increase the size of your family! There are many opportunities for all of us to learn from each other inside and outside of the classroom. I like encouraging my students to care for each other and respect the different qualities and gifts that others can bring into our lives. I like challenging my students to choose joy and appreciate each day. Developing relationships with the students at Pearl makes my heart happy, and I enjoy listening to stories and admiring creations that students share with me. We are all growing and experiencing life together here at Pearl. Pearl students may not gain aunties and uncles, but they will have a community of people surrounding them to guide, support and shower them with love.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” Was it 6th grade? I’ve always loved learning—but not always the feeling of being a student stuck in a classroom. That early tension sparked something in me: a belief
that learning should be an exciting and personal adventure. Less like a dusty textbook and more like a quest. This philosophy took shape during my own transformative year as an 8th grader at Rio Hondo Prep and has deepened through teaching adventures in places as diverse as Hawaii and Hong Kong. I’ve seen how students thrive when they’re in the driver’s seat—asking questions, making connections, and seeing how their learning fits into the bigger picture . In my classroom, learning isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about growth! My goal is to help students grow not just as readers and thinkers, but as people. And along the way, we will find treasure—insights, skills, confidence, and maybe even joy in the learning itself. Because in the end, education—like life—is always a bit of the best of times and the worst of times. But together, we’ll make it the age of wisdom.

Growing up I was one of those kids who loved school and learning. I would do math workbooks just for fun and read about any book I could get my hands on. My goal when I was a teacher and now as Pearl Principal is to instill that love of learning into every single student at Pearl. I believe that if students are having fun they will learn more. I want to always be changing and adapting to create exciting reading incentive programs, find engaging school assemblies and research new and engaging curriculum ideas. I hope that all my Pearl students will become life-long learners and go on to become leaders wherever God may lead them.

I truly love working in the Pearl office! It gives me so many opportunities to do what I love to do most and that is to help people. Whether it is parents or students - "How may I help you" is a phrase you will hear all the time from me. You probably wouldn't have guessed that I was shy when I was in elementary school - but I was! Therefore I make a point to be kind and sympathetic with students when they have a problem or a boo-boo. I also enjoy organizing and coordinating events and an elementary school definitely has its share of events to go around! A freshly printed monthly calendar with events galore is a beautiful sight to me and I can't wait to dive in and plan away!

Is there anything in the world better than music? Think about it... there's music everywhere - in a child's giggle, a baby's cry, birds chirping, footsteps, and even in the wind... it's all around us at all times. Music has the ability to take us away on a journey and let us feel everything from happiness to sadness to excitement. Music is me. I grew up in a home constantly surrounded by music. My dad was a music teacher. I started going to staged productions at the age of two. I sang my first solo in church at the age of three. At night, instead of sitting around watching television, we gathered around the piano and sang and composed many different songs. Music has taken me touring around the country, singing in the White House, and ultimately to my passion and first love... teaching. Music is something that lives in my soul. It's passion... it's my life...