Welcome to kindergarten! My name is Amanda Woodham and I am so excited to have the opportunity to teach your child!. I am a proud alumni of Rockmart High School, and am so thankful to be able to work in the town where I grew up.

In 2014, I had to opportunity to move back "home" and continue my passion for teaching at Van Wert Elementary.  I can't wait to see what new and exciting adventures will happen this year in room 222!

My educational philosophy consists of three main beliefs that I feel are an important part of a student's success.  

I believe in a positive learning environment:

Our classroom is filled with positive reinforcement!  I believe that building up a child's self esteem is a crucial part of their academic success.  When a child feels successful, they are more inclined to push themselves to learn new skills and keep an open mind when doing so.  "I can't" is not an option in our class! By celebrating each child's success, no matter how small, we work to create a positive environment where learning can take place. 

I believe that no two children are alike:

Every student in our class is special and unique. No two are exactly alike in the way they learn, work, or play.  In our class, we strive to recognize these differences and provide differentiation to ensure the success of every student.  I believe that providing students with real life experiences and hands on activities are key in their academic success. These experiences and activities can then be adjusted to meet the individual needs of each student.  By making sure that each child is learning on his or her own level, I believe that they not only feel more successful, but also are able to show more academic growth throughout the year.    

I believe that each child should be loved:

Due to the many different home situations that our students are faced with, many students not only come to school to learn, but there are also students who come to school to be loved.  In our class, we strive to make sure that each child knows how much they are loved, not only by myself, but also by their classmates.  Throughout the year, we work to become a "family" where each person feels safe and secure.  Each person in our classroom has an important role, and I believe that it is a teacher's job to ensure that each student knows that they are a vital part of our class.  

By practicing these three beliefs on a daily level, I believe that each student can truly be the best that they can be.  These three ideas, combined with my own passion to be a lifelong learner, will hopefully help each child in our classroom to achievement academic success.