Fifth Grade
& Upper Grades' English Language Arts
Sister Jackie Johnas
Teaching in St. Francis since 1978
I have remained at St. Francis for so long for a variety of reasons, foremost among them being the excellent administration, my dedicated, faith-filled colleagues, and the children I teach. There is an atmosphere of love that pervades our school - a sense of family, due to the small classes, and yet quality education and professionalism that is not compromised due to size. I am proud to be a part of this educational "gem" in the Mohawk Valley.
I have a creativity and passion for literature and writing that I hope spills over into the lives of the students with whom I interact. I use multiple resources from the school and community to engage my students in the writing process. I spend a great deal of time creating lessons which are not only goal-oriented, but also fun. You may walk into my room and see shoes sitting on the tops of desks, a broken egg plattered on the floor, a variety of household items displayed on a table, and hear music playing in the background. All of this centers around a pertinent writing assignment.
My students and I have many lively discussions about the books and short stories being read, and I am able to bring in many important Christian values as we engage in my lessons. These groups function quite productively, and the content of our sharing is closely linked to my instructional goals.
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