Dear Parents/Guardians,
My name is Tiffany Benitez and I will be teaching and guiding your child through their 3rd grade year here at Braddock Drive Gifted Magnet. I graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Spanish. I went on to attend graduate school in the Portland area at Lewis and Clark College, where I earned my Master of Arts degree in Education. I hold two teaching credentials: Single Subject Social Studies and a Multiple Subject credential. I look forward to a positive year where your child experiences academic, social and emotional growth.
Academically, your child will be exposed to a common core focused curriculum. This year, Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop will be implemented in the classroom. CGI and project based math will be implemented for mathematics. To further critical thinking in math, we will also be using Noetic Math and Noetic Challenge Math in the classroom. These are all programs that are focused on student led learning and are being adopted by progressive districts and educators around the country. Students will also be given the opportunity to express themselves academically and artistically through a variety of projects and assignments in Science, Social Studies and Health.
Socially, your child will be expected to comply with school and classroom rules. All rules of the classroom will be agreed upon as a class. The goal of our rules will be to create and maintain a safe, productive learning environment at all times for every student in the classroom. We will use restorative justice practices and community circles to build and maintain a positive classroom bond.
Emotionally, your child will be provided with a safe and positive environment when they enter the classroom each day. I always work with students to focus on positive behavior and solutions to address any other type of behavior. I will reach out to you by phone or email to keep you updated on your student’s behavior progress if necessary.
This year is going to be a year of academic growth, dedication and fun. I am really looking forward to having each one of your children in my class!
Sincerely,
Tiffany Benitez
3rd Grade Teacher