English Teacher
Passionate about literature, Mrs. Lucas can read anything by Roald Dahl over and over but her favorite is 'The BFG.' She admires the author’s creativity in bringing unusual characters to life and making them beautiful. Outside the classroom, she loves running into her students at the bookstore or library.
Impacting Students
I teach a 'Best Part of Me' writing unit. First, we read a story about students who did this lesson. Then, I tell the kids I am going to take a risk and share something personal about someone in my world. It’s something special, that makes this person different, but it is a powerful thing. It might not be seen as a best part to all people, but it is to me. This is when I share about my daughter and her hearing aids. At first, when teaching this lesson, I hear kids talking to each other mentioning things like their eyes because they are so blue or their legs because they are so athletic. But with my sharing, they hopefully begin to see this assignment with different meaning. When I share something about myself, they are often motivated to share something more about themselves as they begin to ponder their middle school journey.
Lifelong Learner
The most impactful professional development was the Reading and Writing Institutes at the Teacher's College at Columbia University. The notion of teacher as a both a reader and writer alongside their students has been powerful. It's so important for teachers to do what they ask their kids to do. I read when they read and they often ask me what book I'm reading or what book I recommend. When I share tidbits of myself through writing, the kids are hooked, wanting to know more, if it's true, what it means. With this personal sharing, they often find ways to connect with me, and it empowers them to push their thinking and writing, sharing personal aspects of their lives, contemplating how things have impacted them, and more.
Hometown
Chicago, Illinois
Also Known As...
Grade 5 Service Learning Program Coordinator, Writer's Block Facilitator (Student Creative Writing Group), Lit Wits Facilitator (Parent/Student Book Group), Grade 6 Parent/Student Book Group Facilitator, African Community Center Connections Facilitator, English Committee Member
Joined Graland In...
2010
Education
Master’s degree in elementary education, Oxford Brookes University (Oxford, England)
Bachelor's degree in history, Colorado College
I teach a 'Best Part of Me' writing unit. First, we read a story about students who did this lesson. Then, I tell the kids I am going to take a risk and share something personal about someone in my world. It’s something special, that makes this person different, but it is a powerful thing. It might not be seen as a best part to all people, but it is to me. This is when I share about my daughter and her hearing aids. At first, when teaching this lesson, I hear kids talking to each other mentioning things like their eyes because they are so blue or their legs because they are so athletic. But with my sharing, they hopefully begin to see this assignment with different meaning. When I share something about myself, they are often motivated to share something more about themselves as they begin to ponder their middle school journey.
The most impactful professional development was the Reading and Writing Institutes at the Teacher's College at Columbia University. The notion of teacher as a both a reader and writer alongside their students has been powerful. It's so important for teachers to do what they ask their kids to do. I read when they read and they often ask me what book I'm reading or what book I recommend. When I share tidbits of myself through writing, the kids are hooked, wanting to know more, if it's true, what it means. With this personal sharing, they often find ways to connect with me, and it empowers them to push their thinking and writing, sharing personal aspects of their lives, contemplating how things have impacted them, and more.
Chicago, Illinois
Grade 5 Service Learning Program Coordinator, Writer's Block Facilitator (Student Creative Writing Group), Lit Wits Facilitator (Parent/Student Book Group), Grade 6 Parent/Student Book Group Facilitator, African Community Center Connections Facilitator, English Committee Member
2010
Master’s degree in elementary education, Oxford Brookes University (Oxford, England)
Bachelor's degree in history, Colorado College
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
