"A great teacher is not simply one who imparts knowledge to her students, but one who awakens their interest in it and makes them eager to pursue it for themselves. She is the spark plug, not the fuel pump."
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
My Teaching Philosophy
My main goal in teaching has always been to help students learn on their own with the teacher serving as a resource. A teacher in this type of situation would serve as a facilitator who assists or guides when needed. I believe this approach gives students an opportunity to become responsible for their own learning. I also believe in using a variety of teaching styles to meet the individual needs of learners. This means that the teacher has to be flexible and willing to go the extra mile to keep up with current research in education regarding teaching methods, content, and learning styles.
The students should be involved in creating projects that are worthwhile (relevant to their lives), complex, and interdisciplinary. This helps them experience the relationship between subject areas as well as understand how each area can be used in solving real world problems.
Even though I have stated many of my beliefs, I find that through my experiences I grow and change. I am always telling my students "It's OK to make mistakes--you are learning." The same goes for me--I am still learning too!
A life-long learner,
Mrs. Patti Wann
Grant Awards
Qwest/AzTEA Grant Recipient ($5,282.29), Spring 2011 "Track It Storytellers" Schoolwide Literacy Project
DVEF Impact Grant Recipient ($500.00), Fall 2010 "Integrating Math Inquiry Through Project-Based Real World Applications"
DVUSD Computer Innovation Grant Recipient (5 Netbook Computers), Fall 2010 "21st Century Technology Standards Integration"
APS/Phoenix Suns Energy Exploration Mini-Grant Recipient ($900), Fall 2009 "Applying Properties of Science Perpetuates Saving the Earth"
DVEF Impact Grant Recipient ($442.56), Fall 2009 "Claymation Station: Infusing the Arts with Technology and Curriculum to Build Student Leaders and Increase Student Engagement"
APS/Phoenix Suns Energy Exploration Mini-Grant Recipient ($500), Spring 2009 "Applying Properties of Science Perpetuates Saving the Earth"
Target Field Trip Grant Recipient ($800.00), Spring 2009 "Challenger Space Center" Field Trip
Sierra Verde PTSO Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2009 "StoryWorks for 5th Grade"
Target Reading Grant Recipient ($2,000.00), Spring 2008 "Read Naturally"
DVEF Grant Recipient ($2,000.00), Spring 2008 "Read Naturally"
Wells Fargo Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2008 "Step Up to Writing"
Wells Fargo Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2007 "Digital Cameras"
Honors and Awards
AzTEA Webmaster Award, 2009
Arizona Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2009
Deer Valley Webmaster Award, 2007, 2008, 2009
Arizona Center for STEM Teachers, Biosphere II Summer Institute, 2009
Deer Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Year, 2006
Dean's List, Arizona State University
Dean's List, Purdue University
Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
B.A.(Highest Distinction), Elementary Education
Minor: Reading
Endorsement: Reading Specialist
Endorsement: Kindergarten
Endorsement: Gifted and Talented
Arizona State University West, Glendale, Arizona
M.Ed., Elementary Education, Educational Technology
Teaching Experience
Grade 3, General Education, Glendale, AZ
Grade 5, General Education, Glendale, AZ
Grades 3-6, SAGE Program (Gifted), Glendale, AZ
Grade 3, Challenge Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN
Grade 6, General Education, Oxford, IN
Grade 2, General Education, Monon, IN
Grades K-1, Purdue University Super Saturday (Gifted), West Lafayette, IN
Grade 5, Mathematics Enrichment Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN
Grades 3-5, Eagle Enrichment Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN
The students should be involved in creating projects that are worthwhile (relevant to their lives), complex, and interdisciplinary. This helps them experience the relationship between subject areas as well as understand how each area can be used in solving real world problems.
Even though I have stated many of my beliefs, I find that through my experiences I grow and change. I am always telling my students "It's OK to make mistakes--you are learning." The same goes for me--I am still learning too!
A life-long learner,
Mrs. Patti Wann
Grant Awards
Qwest/AzTEA Grant Recipient ($5,282.29), Spring 2011 "Track It Storytellers" Schoolwide Literacy Project
DVEF Impact Grant Recipient ($500.00), Fall 2010 "Integrating Math Inquiry Through Project-Based Real World Applications"
DVUSD Computer Innovation Grant Recipient (5 Netbook Computers), Fall 2010 "21st Century Technology Standards Integration"
APS/Phoenix Suns Energy Exploration Mini-Grant Recipient ($900), Fall 2009 "Applying Properties of Science Perpetuates Saving the Earth"
DVEF Impact Grant Recipient ($442.56), Fall 2009 "Claymation Station: Infusing the Arts with Technology and Curriculum to Build Student Leaders and Increase Student Engagement"
APS/Phoenix Suns Energy Exploration Mini-Grant Recipient ($500), Spring 2009 "Applying Properties of Science Perpetuates Saving the Earth"
Target Field Trip Grant Recipient ($800.00), Spring 2009 "Challenger Space Center" Field Trip
Sierra Verde PTSO Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2009 "StoryWorks for 5th Grade"
Target Reading Grant Recipient ($2,000.00), Spring 2008 "Read Naturally"
DVEF Grant Recipient ($2,000.00), Spring 2008 "Read Naturally"
Wells Fargo Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2008 "Step Up to Writing"
Wells Fargo Grant Recipient ($500.00), Spring 2007 "Digital Cameras"
Honors and Awards
AzTEA Webmaster Award, 2009
Arizona Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2009
Deer Valley Webmaster Award, 2007, 2008, 2009
Arizona Center for STEM Teachers, Biosphere II Summer Institute, 2009
Deer Valley Education Foundation Teacher of the Year, 2006
Dean's List, Arizona State University
Dean's List, Purdue University
Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
B.A.(Highest Distinction), Elementary Education
Minor: Reading
Endorsement: Reading Specialist
Endorsement: Kindergarten
Endorsement: Gifted and Talented
Arizona State University West, Glendale, Arizona
M.Ed., Elementary Education, Educational Technology
Teaching Experience
Grade 3, General Education, Glendale, AZ
Grade 5, General Education, Glendale, AZ
Grades 3-6, SAGE Program (Gifted), Glendale, AZ
Grade 3, Challenge Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN
Grade 6, General Education, Oxford, IN
Grade 2, General Education, Monon, IN
Grades K-1, Purdue University Super Saturday (Gifted), West Lafayette, IN
Grade 5, Mathematics Enrichment Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN
Grades 3-5, Eagle Enrichment Program (Gifted), Lafayette, IN