Welcome to Third Grade!

Dear Third Grade Families,

Hello and welcome to Third Grade at Sauvie Island Academy! I am delighted to have your child in my class.

Since I will be spending a lot of time with your child during this school year, let me start by telling you a bit about myself.

Top 10 Fun Facts about Ms. Shannon

1. I have lived in all three states that start with the letter “C”.
2. I went to high school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
3. I have one younger brother named Patrick who is a music teacher in the Boston area and is also the fabulous father of my niece (Jasmine, 1) and nephew (Rhodes, 9). My parents also live in the Boston area.
4. I graduated from the University of California in Santa Cruz in 2003 with a degree in Community Studies…. Go Banana Slugs!!
5. I moved to Portland in October of 2003. I have now lived in Portland longer than I have lived anywhere else.. almost 10 years (minus the past two years in Ecuador)!
6. I graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 2010 with a Masters in the Art of Teaching (Mr. Asa and I were in the same class!).
7. I am a writer and have been part of several Portland-based writing groups for many years. I mostly write creative non-fiction and a bit of poetry.
8. Before returning to Portland this summer, I was teaching fourth grade at an American school in Quito, Ecuador for the past two school years. (Si, yo hablo espanol).
9.  I have recently moved to the Kenton neighborhood of North Portland. I love hearing all of the train noises (except for when I am trying to sleep).
10. Before moving to Ecuador, I worked as a substitute teacher as well as an educational assistant for students with special needs. My year-long graduate internship was in a 4^th/5^th grade blended classroom at the Metropolitan Learning Center in Northwest Portland.

As a teacher, I believe in building a community where we respect each other, feel safe with each other, and have fun. I believe learning should be meaningful to children and that each child learns differently. I believe in flexibility, compassion, curiosity, and humor.

 I believe that we (teacher and parents) are part of a team, working together to think well about your child. If you would like to take a minute to write me a short letter about your child, I would truly appreciate it. What is your youngster like? What things do you think are important for me to know? What are your child’s interests?

This letter is certainly not required but please do send one if you would like. You can send it to school with your child, have Sam put it in my in-box, or simply email me if you would like. I really do enjoy reading these letters, they provide great insight! Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact me as any questions or concerns arise throughout the year. The best way to contact me is through email:                spate@sauvieislandacademy.org

I check my email regularly. I look forward to meeting and working with you all. It is going to be a fantastic year!

Sincerely,

Shannon M Pate, M.A.T