All About Miss Downing

     This is my first year at Mother of Providence teaching fifth grade, and my first year teaching in my own classroom!  I was born in Pennsylvania at Lankenau Hospital, where my mom works.  We moved to New Jersey when I was two and I went to Catholic grammar school at St. Jude Regional School in Blackwood from kindergarten through eighth grade.  I attended Paul VI Catholic High School for four years, and I value all of the lessons that a Catholic education has given to me.  My classmates, teachers, and faculty became my family and I am excited to be a part of such a similar, special community here at Mother of Providence.

     After high school, I attended West Virginia University and was a part of the 5 Year Teacher Education Program.  In five years I earned a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education.  I became certified to teach in both West Virginia and Pennsylvania and started looking for a job close to home after I graduated in May of 2017.

     A fun fact about myself is that my mom and some of her siblings attended this school when it was still known as St. John's!  My aunt lives right behind the school and when I was younger my cousins and I would walk through the trees from her house to play on the school playground.  My grandparents also devoted a lot of time volunteering for the church before their passing, and I feel that God has blessed me with an opportunity to teach students at a school that has been such a positive, supportive place for my mom and the rest of my family :)

     I love spending time with my parents and my twin brother, Matt, as well as my friends and other family members.  I LOVE music- no matter what I am doing throughout the day (besides when I am teaching!) there is music playing in the background.  I also enjoy running when I can, especially when the weather is cooperating.

     I believe in having a positive attitude no matter what life throws at you, and will be sure to display this positivity each day to each one of my students.  Leading by example in both a Catholic standpoint as well as a teacher standpoint will allow me to be a role model to my students and to show them that we are a fifth grade family that supports, encourages and motivates one another.  Fifth grade was a great year for me when I was in school, and I am excited to be a part of your student's fifth grade experience!  I already know it's going to be a great year :)