About+the+Teachers

I have worked in education for 35 years. During those years I directed three cooperative preschools and taught first through seventh grade at independent and public schools, including five years at a Quaker school, with most of my teaching years spent in third and fourth grade. I believe in teaching the whole child, honoring the fact that every child has different needs and strengths, and am committed to meeting each child where s/he is and learning how best to teach her/him. I have two adult sons who each had different unique needs as students and my experiences as their mother and advocate informed my deep desire to act in the best interests of each learner. Parents and families are essential partners to this work and I welcome input and involvement according to your time and interest.
 * Janna Nelson **

My husband and I moved from Atlanta, Georgia to Albuquerque a year ago in order to be closer to family, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to job share with my niece, Nicole Evans. She and I have had many, many conversations about children and teaching over the past years and I am comfortable that our teaching styles are very compatible and confident that we will be able to build on each other’s strengths and grow as people and teachers in the work we do together.

In addition to being a voracious reader I love music. My husband and I have performed standard jazz for over 35 years and I also enjoy doing music with my students throughout our days together.

The 2015-2016 school year will be my tenth year as an APS teacher. From June 2008-July 2009 I lived in Shanghai, China and taught English to Chinese adults. Prior to that I worked at La Mesa Elementary for four years. I joined the Monte Vista staff in 2009. My teaching experience includes team teaching in a bilingual classroom, teaching combined grade levels, and working in grades two through five. I earned my Master's degree in Elementary Education from UNM and I am certified to teach ESL. I currently hold a Level 3 teaching license with the state of New Mexico. I have taught at the APS Summer Reading Academy in which students made tremendous progress in reading due to intensive individualized literacy instruction. I have also been trained in Add+Vantage Math, a program which uses diagnostic assessments and specific interventions to identify students' cognitive levels and address their needs.
 * Nicole Evans**

Outside of school I spend most of my time reading, solving puzzles, playing games, and studying Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. My other hobbies include making hand-bound books, juggling, and hooping (as in hula). I was born and raised in Albuquerque and am very fortunate to have most of my family nearby. Although I love to travel and might choose to live temporarily overseas again someday, New Mexico will always be my home. I attended Monte Vista for kindergarten through sixth grade (when Family School was in the basement) and I am delighted to be back in the heart of this thriving community.

**Nicole's fifth grade class picture. Can you find her?**