Mrs. Holden
I am in my 21st year of teaching. I have spent the last 14 years teaching 4th and 5th grade here in Decatur. I especially loved being able to loop with my classes (teaching the same children in both 4th and 5th grade). I am passionate about the IB Programme and am currently an IB Educator. That means that I provide IB training to other teachers and evaluate IB schools seeking evaluation or re-evaluation.
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon in Finance (which accounts for my love of the Oregon Ducks)! I completed my teaching certification at Georgia State in French and German. I also have my masters degree in Language and Literacy from Georgia State (which is where my training in elementary and middle grades comes from) and my specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State. I completed my gifted endorsement in 2004.
I am in my 21st year of teaching. I have spent the last 14 years teaching 4th and 5th grade here in Decatur. I especially loved being able to loop with my classes (teaching the same children in both 4th and 5th grade). I am passionate about the IB Programme and am currently an IB Educator. That means that I provide IB training to other teachers and evaluate IB schools seeking evaluation or re-evaluation.
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon in Finance (which accounts for my love of the Oregon Ducks)! I completed my teaching certification at Georgia State in French and German. I also have my masters degree in Language and Literacy from Georgia State (which is where my training in elementary and middle grades comes from) and my specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State. I completed my gifted endorsement in 2004.
Mr. Withers
When Mr. Roaden opened the 4/5 academy at FAVE, he hired Bill to teach Title I students who needed support in math. When the Title I program was phased out, Bill began working with the Early Intervention Program (EIP) in math and reading. Bill completed the education specialist (Ed.S) degree program from Piedmont College in June of 2014. This year Bill is excited to be working with LINKS students in 5th grade in reading and math.
When Mr. Roaden opened the 4/5 academy at FAVE, he hired Bill to teach Title I students who needed support in math. When the Title I program was phased out, Bill began working with the Early Intervention Program (EIP) in math and reading. Bill completed the education specialist (Ed.S) degree program from Piedmont College in June of 2014. This year Bill is excited to be working with LINKS students in 5th grade in reading and math.
Ms Theisen The 2015-16 school year will be my 27th year of teaching! I have taught 2nd-5th grades, but the bulk of it has been in 4th and 5th. I have shared one homeroom with another teacher and taught media skills to the entire K-5 in my former system. This will be my fifth year teaching gifted. Two of those at Morningside Elementary my previous school where I spent the first 17 years of my career. I have a masters from Emory and am certified to teach LA, SS, and science through middle grades. This past June I completed my math endorsement. I feel passionately about creating “thinkers”, getting kids to be more than “plot junkies” when they read, and developing stamina when presented with tough problems, math in particular. Questions are a regular part of my approach because my goal is for children to reach their own understanding. I always prefer this to “telling” when it works! I am looking forward to a terrific year.