Our Classroom
Introduction and Contact InformationTop of Page
Dear Families,
My name is Megan Brown, and I am excited to be working with you for the 2020-2021 school year. I know given the current situation, this year may present even more unexpected challenges than usual, but I am confident that if we work together, we will be able to overcome them and provide your students with what they need to achieve. This is my tenth year at Rescue Elementary, and I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful, school community. Although I met and made connections with a number of families over the past nine years, I want to introduce myself.
I started my teaching career in 2002 at Alta Heights Elementary, a California Distinguished School in the Napa Valley. While working at Alta Heights, I taught both first and second grade. I loved my position in the primary grades. I was able to help my students create a solid foundation in reading and writing and to nurture their love of learning. In 2006, I was awarded the Golden Apple by the Napa Valley Reading Association for excellence in early literacy instruction. My work with first grade students led to my decision to begin my graduate studies program at Sonoma State University. In 2007, I joined the Rescue Union School District because I wanted to work in the area where I grew up and my family still resides. During the past eight years, I taught at the first, third, fourth, and fifth grade levels at Lake Forest and Rescue Elementary and at the sixth grade level at Pleasant Grove Middle School. In May 2009, I was awarded my Masters Degree in Education with a concentration in reading and language. My degree enabled me to teach an academic literacy course as a part-time instructor at Sierra College for two years until I decided to give up that night job.
In April 2018, my husband and I purchased a home in Cameron Park because we love this area, and we know we want our three year old daughter, Nia, to one day be a Rescue Raider. This summer in addition to working on home projects and curriculum planning with Mrs. Huettenhain, we were able to take some road trips to Southern California and Nevada which enabled us to spend quality time with our extended family. While I love teaching, I am so thankful for the summer months which also allow me to spend extra time with my daughter who is changing and growing on a daily basis. I believe becoming a parent has given me a whole new insight as to what families in my classroom community experience on a day to day basis, and that insight will help to make me an even better teacher. Please know I am always here to support your student and your family because we are a team.
I truly enjoy working with the other highly skilled and talented teachers at Rescue Elementary. My third grade team consisting of Kelli Huettenhain, Richard Wetmore, and myself is dedicated to working together to support and address the needs of all of our kiddos. I am so thankful to work with professionals who not only always maintain a growth mindset, but are also creative thinkers and solution oriented because these traits have served us well in times of change and challenge. Finally, I greatly appreciate the many ways all of the families support what happens in the classroom. If you are unable to attend Back to School Night online via Zoom on ______, August ___ at 6:45, I will send home any paperwork which corresponds to the presentation on Friday, August 14.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Brown
Contact Information: The easiest way to get a hold of me is via e-mail at mbrown@my.rescueusd.org. I check my e-mail at various times throughout the day and week, and I will always do my best to respond in a timely manner. If you would like to speak with me directly, please call 530-677-2720 ext. 3076. If I am out of the classroom and away from my desk, please leave a message, and I will return your call at my earliest convenience.
Classroom Rules & ExpectationsTop of Page
PLEASE NOTE: Fidget spinners, like other toys, are not allowed in our classroom. They become a horrible distraction to learning and only intensified focus issues with certain students who tried to use them. Mr. Haley has stated that overall fidget spinners will not be allowed, and ANY fidget tools will need to be cleared and communicated between the parent and the teacher prior to being brought into the classroom. If your student brings one to class, it will be taken and you will be sent an e-mail, so you can come and pick it up before or after school. Thank you!
At Rescue Elementary School, we are a community of learners. Each community member will agree to the following rules for interaction in order to fill everyone's invisible buckets, be effective communicators, and be productive learners each day:
- Show Respect
- Make Good Decisions
- Problem Solve
Students who adhere to our community rules and do their personal best each day will receive the following recognition and rewards:
Raider Awards
Positive Postals (Notes or e-mails home in recognition of good behavior or excellent work)
Character Counts Awards
Achievement Awards
My focus every year is to establish a classroom climate and community in which students not only feel happy and safe, but are also learning to reflect on how their choices, words, and actions impact themselves and other people in their classroom and school community. I will talk to my students about the importance of taking responsibility for the choices (even when they make mistakes) and help them to grow in their ability to problem solve when needed. I can't stress enough that this is a huge year of transition in which kiddos mature socially as much as they do academically. I am here to support them in this process and help them to develop a growth mindset in all areas of their life at school. When kids struggle either socially or academically, they tend to shut down. This year will be the year that they learn to persevere in all things that are challenging. The key to this is helping them to stay open-minded, positive, and to adopt "The Power of YET" mentality when challenges arise. I know in my heart this will serve them well in the rest of their time in school and beyond.
At the beginning of the school year, I introduce my kiddos to the concept of having a growth mindset and what "The Power of YET" means. Below is a link to "The Power of YET" song from Sesame Street. After all these years, Sesame Street still gets kids!
If a student is struggling with following community rules and making appropriate choices, I will conference with him or her. If he or she continues to struggle with making appropriate choices in the community, I will contact you regarding my concerns. If necessary, we will schedule a meeting to discuss the problem and create a plan for how to address the issue. It is my hope that after identifying the problem, we can work together to resolve it. Open communication throughout the year is critical. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (530) 677-2720 ext. 3076 or via e-mail @mbrown@my.rescueusd.org