Mr. Johnson and I would like to nominate Mrs. Birch as the May CHE Teacher of the Month. Mrs. Birch has only been here at CHE for one year but has made a point of becoming a part of the community and school. She has gotten to know her students and her classroom has the feel of a family that works together to learn and grow. Mrs. Birch supports Great Expectations throughout her classroom and is very consistent with the implementation of the program. She also takes the time to support her students outside the school environment by going to their different activities.
Who is your hero and why?
Helen Keller, she never gave up, kept on trying, but realized it’s okay to ask for help. She was quoted, “ Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.â€
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Oh I would love to live in Australia, the accents are just so fun to hear. And growing up one of my favorite books was Alexander Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.
What is your favorite family vacation?
Beach time, we enjoy putting our feet in the sand and playing in the water.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
Wish I could be a little bit more organized, I have the best intentions but as time goes by I tend to slack a little bit (at home and a school too).
What really makes you sad?
I am so sad that I don’t have a green thumb at ALL. Seriously I can’t even keep a succulent alive. So this time of year we learn about plants, life cycles and do some planting. I always tell my students do as a say NOT as I do. Fingers crossed we’ll have some sprouts with our plants this year.
What motivates you?
The conversations that I have with my students as we learn. I ask for them to share their learning connections to self, to text, to world, and to media. They always amaze me with their knowledge, what they want to know and what they learned at the end of unit.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
I love that learning never stops. I am a life long learner and enjoy learning new things from my colleagues and my students.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I am most proudest of earning my Master in Elementary Education while teaching my first year in Austin ISD as a 1st Grade Teacher. Looking back I’m not sure how I managed doing both at the same time. I am so glad I did the Texas State Teacher’s Fellows Program that guided and support me the whole way through.
What is your favorite book?
I enjoy reading anything by Mo Willems the author of Elephant and Piggie Series with my class. As for my own reading list I enjoy thiller/mystery currently Robert Dugoni.
What makes you laugh the most?
My own children, Adeline 3 years old and my son Harrison 2 years old in (June), it is never a dull moment with these too. At home we have dance parties (which their moves are something else), enjoy cooking together and playing dress up in princess and super hero costumes. Kids really do say the darnest things.
The Cooper Agency, a Farmers Insurance Agency, is awarding the Teacher of the Month with a $100 stipend to use for classroom supplies and favorite things.
