Welcome to 3rd grade!

       My name is Ms. Evans and it's a pleasure to be the 3rd grade at McKinley Thatcher. This upcoming year is my 5th year as the 3rd grade teacher and I'm feeling ready to take on this year, no matter what it has in store! I'm passionate about the power of education and developing meaningful relationships with my students and families in our school community. I enjoy seeing the 'Ah-Ha' moments come to life inside and outside of the classroom and I'm looking forward to these moments throughout our live teaching sessions during remote learning. 

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       Before teaching, I ran education exploration camps and programs for the YMCA. Cultivating student led experiential learning opportunities have always been at the heart of learning. Throughout the years, I've worked with elementary students of all ages but enjoy teaching 3rd grade the most because my students are enthusiastic to learn, increasingly comfortable with taking risks, and developing their identity in the world around them. I'm looking forward to watching my students grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year. I love being a part of this school community and can't wait to see how my students develop as leaders this year! 

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       Before becoming a teacher at McKinley Thatcher, I graduated with a major in Behavioral Sciences and a minor in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. This instilled passion for child psychology, trauma informed practices and of course, my love for teaching. Last summer I started graduate school at the University of Colorado Denver for Leadership in Education and Policy Studies and I'll graduate in the summer of 2021. I'm passionate about social justice, equity in education, leadership and researching the history and policy of education. My graduate program has provided many opportunities for me to research and understand the inequities in education and to prioritize equity and justice in classroom for every student.  

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       In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with the people in my life. I enjoy going to my nieces' softball games, going to the park with my dogs, self care "spa nights", and family barbecues... when we aren't in the midst of a global pandemic. I love road trips, exploring new places, and going on adventures in the mountains. Additionally, I love relaxing with yoga, reading a great book, and creating art including painting, drawing, photography and digital illustration.