Mrs. Mathys's Life Story
I grew up in Chesterfield, Missouri. I attended Parkway Schools: Green Trails Elementary, Parkway Central Junior High, and Parkway Central High School.
Throughout my school years, I was a great student! I have always loved to learn, and I always put my best effort into everything I did. When I was in the fourth grade, I won second place in our schoolwide spelling bee. In Junior High, I earned a citizenship award for having the most O's (Outstanding grades) in citizenship. In High School, I was the editor of our high school yearbook for two years. I was also a National Merit Scholar, and I graduated in 1992. I also participated in a gazillion activities, was on the Cross Country & Track teams, and worked several part-time jobs. I was always busy doing one thing or another.
I went to college at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. I thought I wanted to be a magazine editor, and I started school intending to major in journalism. After 2 weeks of college, I suddenly knew that was not what I wanted to do with my life! I then switched my major to Elementary Education, and chose to become someone who could change a child's life: A teacher!
My high school sweetheart, Dave, ended up attending college at Mizzou, as well, after several years of playing baseball at Rend Lake College and attending Missouri Western and Lincoln University. We got engaged in 1992, on my birthday, and then got married in 1995. He is the love of my life and my best friend, too! Dave currently teaches 4th grade at Ballwin Elementary in the Rockwood School District.
I graduated from the University of Missouri in 1996, and I began teaching fourth grade in California, Missouri. Growing up in a big suburb of a large city, it was quite a shock for me to move to a smaller town. However, I found the small town atmosphere satisfying and made lots of friends while I was there. I wouldn't trade the 10 years I spent there and the experiences I had that truly enriched my life experience. While in California, I had the chance to become an eMINTS teacher, which has taken me on a technology journey with my 4th graders. Now, technology and Inquiry based teaching are integral parts of of the learning in my classroom. Everyday I am amazed as my students take their learning to new heights!
I began taking courses for my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary Science Education at the University of Missouri - Columbia. I graduated with my master's degree in December 1999. I graduated with my Educational Specialists' Degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Elementary Science at Mizzou in 2003. I've always loved school and loved to learn, I guess that's why I've taken so many classes and pursued two graduate degrees.
My students sometimes ask which subject I love to teach the most. I enjoy them all - Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies - I am always on the lookout for ways to engage my students and to make the learning meaningful and fun.
The experiences I've had outside of classroom teaching have strengthened my presence in the classroom. I was a presenter for the Show-Me Science Center in Columbia, Missouri, where I taught other teachers how to teach science with an Inquiry, hands-on focus. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, Missouri lost this valuable resource in 2004. I have been involved in various aspects of our state MAP test - setting score points, grading, and training other teachers. I currently mentor other teachers through the National Board process and I am an eMINTS/METS teacher.
I have had a lot of successes in my teaching career already. One accomplishment is being named a state winner in the National Science Foundation's Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2002. I achieved National Board Certification in 2004. In October of 2004, I was named one of Missouri's Milken Educators. (See Articles) This joyful memory will be with me for the rest of my life.
I am currently teaching at Chesterfield Elementary School in the Rockwood School District in Chesterfield, Missouri. My husband and I joke that our life has come "full circle" as I am now living back in St. Louis and loving the city life once again! I love the students, families, and staff at Chesterfield, and Rockwood is an amazing place to work.
I love my job, and I can't wait for the many more adventures that will come my way while I educate future stars!
Home
Last updated: November 30, 2008