My name is Michelle Harms, and I am pleased to be your child's teacher this year! As I may be new to you and your family, I decided I should introduce myself to you all. I grew up in the country just outside of Bonfield, Illinois, which is a small town in the Herscher School District. During my years as a student in the Herscher School District, I was busy with Cross Country, Speech, Plays, Track, Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band, and Symphony Orchestra. After high school, I attended Kankakee Community College and then transferred to Illinois State University, where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree is Elementary Education. Since then, I have graduated from the American College of Education with my Masters of Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in English as a Second Language and earned my LBS 1 endorsement which allows me to also be a Special Education teacher. I am currently pursuing my Reading Specialist endorsement.
I started my teaching career as a Title I teacher for Kindergarten through 5th grade, but after three years I was called to another position. For six years I lived and worked in Lincoln, Illinois where I was the 7th grade Language Arts teacher. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my seventh graders, the commute home to Kankakee was getting a little wearing. I am proud to say that I am very close to my family. Seeing that my grandparents were starting to slip in their health, my nephew is now in school, and my husband's family is in Pontiac, I found it necessary to be closer to my family. This desire to get closer to home brought me Prairie Central, where I have been teaching ever since. My husband and I are the very proud parents of twins and also run a wedding venue business outside of Fairbury.
In class this year, I hope that your child learns to see education as means to discovery and adventure! Through our studies we will travel to many places, experience many things, and it will all be within the realm of our school! Imagination, creativity, and inquiry are highly valued in my classroom. Do not be surprised to hear that I suggested a research mini-project or presentation about an area in which your child expressed interest. We are all individuals with different interests and strengths. If we look at those differences as opportunities then the learning will be much greater!
In my classroom my students learn to believe in the power of “yet” and the importance of having a growth mindset. We look at failures as learning opportunities on the road to success. Throughout the year we work to build a foundation where we know hard work and practice helps our brains to grow stronger and embrace the thought that everyone can learn new things. We recognize that everyone is on their own individual path in life, and some may accomplish a goal in a different time than someone else. However, we embrace the learning process as a journey rather than a destination recognizing that “not yet” does not mean “never”!
I believe that the education of our children is a partnership between the child, the parent(s), and the teacher(s). I hope that you feel comfortable enough to contact me anytime you have a concern. I tend to "adopt" all of my students each year. I will forever call them "my kids" regardless of how old they are!! It is with this in mind that I know our partnering together will make this year absolutely amazing!