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When I tell people
I am a Jacksonville native they find it very hard to believe. I have spent
my entire life here in the “Bold New City of the South” (as we used to
call it) surrounded by family, and have observed in amazement the many
changes and developments this city has experienced during this extended
time. I grew up in Arlington and graduated from Terry Parker High School.
Following this, I attended The University of North Florida, and upon
graduation, moved right into teaching. My first eight years were spent
teaching at Andrew Robinson Elementary School alongside my awesome
husband, John, whom I met in college during completion of elementary
education coursework. We were lucky enough to be assigned to intern at
Robinson together, and then we were both hired there soon after
graduation. After eight years of working together, John transferred to the
Schultz Center for Teaching and Development and I came to the wonderful
world of Chets. I have been a part of this incredible family for the last
nine years, and I plan to remain here for a very long time- if I’m lucky,
I will remain here until retirement. In my experience, I have taught all
grades Kindergarten through Fifth. My niche is in the intermediate grades,
primarily that of Fourth and Fifth Grade. The best part about teaching
this age range is that the kids keep up with my pacing, laugh at my jokes,
and the best part- they can blow their own noses and tie their own shoes.
On a serious note, I love teaching this age range because I am amazed at
the maturity and depth of thinking and problem solving that emerges with
kids at this point in their school career, and nothing is more rewarding
to me than helping to unfold their knowledge in the areas of mathematics
and science.
My mother has always
been my inspiration for wanting to teach. She herself has been an educator
in Duval County for over 30 years and I attended school where she taught
all through my elementary years. I knew teaching was what I wanted to
spend my life doing at the early age of seven while in the second grade
sharing my experience with her. Teaching brings me such fulfillment and
each day offers a new sense of accomplishment and point of reflection for
improving my craft the following day. There is nothing more rewarding for
me than having each day serving as a new adventure, unique to what was
experienced the day before.
Along with my
husband, who I have been happily married to for fifteen years, my sons are
the most important part of my life. Jack is a Kindergartner this year at
Chets, which I am simply ecstatic about and have made that point known to
anyone within range who will listen. My youngest son, Joshua, just turned
3 years old this past summer. He is a future Chets learner, of course!
Both of these boys are my absolute pride and joy! We live in Jacksonville
Beach and love to spend our free time outdoors enjoying the Florida
sunshine. We also love dining out (since I don’t really enjoy cooking) and
catching the latest movie together (complete with popcorn and Milk-Duds).
We are avid Florida Gator football fans and spend our fall weekends
cheering on the Gators in the Swamp. By the way, did I mention that I
bleed orange and blue? That has been the case for over twenty-five years!
·
* Bachelors, Elementary Education University of North Florida
* Masters, Educational Leadership, University of
North Florida
*
Chets Creek Teacher of the Year 2002
* Nationally Board
certified since 2005
phillipsa@duvalschools.org
blog:
http://cce4thgrade.blogspot.com
992-6390 x 171
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