Our Teachers

Hello, and welcome to our Teacher's web page. We would like to share with you answers to questions we asked our teachers.

1. Why did you want to be a teacher a R.L. Stevens School?
2. What is your favorite subject to teach?
3. How long did you go to college to become a teacher?
4. What time in your life did you know that you wanted to be a teacher?
5. What grade did you want to teach? Why?
6. What do you like about our school?
 
 

Mrs. West

I think one thing I love about our school is our campus. We are so lucky to have a beautiful school and our kids do such a great job keeping it clean. I did my student teaching here and fell in love with the school. The students are wonderful, the school is beautiful and staff so warm and supportive. I knew then this is where I wanted to be. My favorite subject to teach is social Studies. I find it so interesting and it was always my favorite subject when I was in school. I went to college for a total of 7 years. (Too Long) I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was around 20 and worked in a preschool. I was 27 before I went back to college to finish my education wanted to teach K or 1st grade. I was used to younger children. I love teaching 5th grade now. I like more in-depth teaching and learning.

Mrs. Addison

Reading Specialist

I wanted to teach at R. L. Stevens School because it was an opportunity to work with wonderful teachers and great students. I was given the opportunity to work with small groups of students doing what I like to do best which is help kids learn to read better.

My favorite subject to teach is reading, of course.

I went to college for 4 years in Wisconsin and 2 years in California to become a teacher. I am still going to college; right now. I am going to University of California-Davis Extension to get a reading teacher certificate. I hope to be finished by June 2004.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher after my second year in college. I knew I wanted to be a reading teacher about 10 years ago.

I like teaching all the grades K-6. Each grade is different with different challenges. Sixth grade is different with different t challenges. Sixth grade is as old as I think I would want to teach.

I love R. L. Stevens School. It is a beautiful campus especially now with everything in bloom. But, most of all, I like working with such a wonderful, talented, caring staff and the best students in all of Sonoma County.

Mrs. Hughes

3rd Grade Teacher

R.L. Stevens opened in 1994. That was my fifth year with the Wright School District. I had taught two years a t JX Wilson School and two years at Wright School. I was very excited to be a part of a new school joining teachers that I knew from both JX and Wright. Opening a new school was a great experience.

What is my favorite subject to teach? That's a tough question because I enjoy all the subjects, but just for fun I'll say Physical Education. I love going outside to exercise with my class. We jog and stretch and learn games and sports. It's terrific to see the athletic talent and team leadership skill so many of our students possess. P.E. is a wonderful way to teach cooperation, sportsmanship and risk taking skills. These "fundamentals" transfer over nicely into the academic curriculum.

I received my Bachelors degree and preliminary teaching credential from the University of San Francisco in four years. While teaching for the Wright District, I completed a fifth year of study through Sonoma State University to "clear" (finish) my credential. In that program I acquired a Masters in Education emphasizing Mexican American studies.

I decided to become a teacher during college. As a learner I've been inspired over the years by many incredible teachers. Teachers care about the success and well-being of others. Public education in particular strives to "open gates" and "build bridges" for all children to created dreams and achieve goals. That's a huge job. It's pretty awesome to be a teacher and join other in the profession that helps shape the future.

I've taught kindergarten through fifth grade. Each level is challenging and rewarding. It's helpful to develop expertise at a particular level and be able to think you're teaching your students more than they are teaching you! This year I'm teaching third grade and I love it.

We have a beautiful school. The staff is dedicated. The students strive to do their best. The community is diverse and wants to be involved, to help our students succeed. Recently a dear teacher of our, Rebecca Beyman, passed away. She is a perfect example of what makes R.L. Stevens a great school. She put her heart and soul into the service of others. We all do. I'm so fortunate to have worked with her and to be a part of R.L.S.

Mrs Nygaard

I was excited to start at a brand new school after teaching at Wright School for 9 years. I was excited to meet all kinds of new students and teachers. My favorite subject to teach is probably Social Studies, but I also like teaching reading and instilling a love for it in students. I went to college for six years to become a teacher. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 6th grade. I've always wanted to teach in the Upper Grades because I like the material better and I like the maturity of the students. I like our school because the students and teachers are so proud of it. I also like all the windows in my classroom and all the trees outside.

       I thought it would be exciting to open a new school. Reading is my favorite subject to teach. I went to college for 5 years. After I worked with the Head Start Program in high school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I went to college for 5 years. 3rd grade was the first grade I did my student teaching in and I have loved teaching it ever since.
 
 
 

Mrs. McCarthy

     I wanted to be a teacher at R.L. Stevens School because the kids are great! My favorite subject to teach is math. I went to college for five and a half years to be a teacher. It took me thirty years to figure out that the best job for me was teaching! I love teaching fifth and sixth grade because they are more independent and mature and they understand my jokes and are lots of fun. What I like most about our school is the students, of course!
 

      I wanted to be a teacher at R.L. Stevens School because I looked forward to the fun and challenge of helping to "create" a new school from the ground up. My favorite subject to teach is writing. I went to college for 6 years to become a teacher. What I like best about our school  are the students, the supportive parents, the dedicated but still fun staff.
 
 
 
 
 

Ms. Edwards
2nd Grade Teacher

     I wanted to teach at R.L. Stevens School because I had been a teacher at a brand new school before and it was fun. I love to teach reading because I love to read. I went to college for 4 years to become a teacher. I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in first grade. I still keep in contact with my first grade teacher. I wanted to teach first grade so that I could give kids a good start.
 
 

Ms. Beyman
3rd Grade Teacher

     I was excited when I was asked to come to R.L. Stevens when it first opened. I loved working at J.X.. Wilson, but thought being with a new school from the very beginning was an opportunity not to be missed. It certainly HAS been an amazing adventure!
I love providing opportunities for children to learn about the wonders of life. There are so many wonderful books which open windows to new worlds of information and ideas. It is exciting to watch children learn to explore and create through reading and writing.
I think teaching at R.L. Stevens is special in many ways.  The families and children are so rewarding to work with. We are a community with many talents and gifts.  It is heartwarming to see the many parent volunteers giving so generously of their time and resources.  I think our entire staff is wonderful. It is a pleasure to work here.
 
 

I worked in my son's classroom and loved being with the children and that's why I wanted to became a teacher. I received my BA in  4 years and that's how many years I went to college and I credential in 2 years. I like the students the best because they are so excited about learning.
 
 
 

    I love the staff and because the students here are my neighbors and friends.  My favorite subject to teach is math because I love it.  I went to college for about 7 years plus many more units here and there.  The time I told myself  that I want to become was when my two oldest children were in school. The grades I wanted to teach were 1st and 5th grade  because it would be fun and interesting.    The best thing I like about R.L. Stevens, is the staff, the students and the site.