Hello! My name is Michelle Ernst and I am the self-contained classroom teacher. This will be my 19th year of teaching. Growing up, I was blessed to travel and live in many places as my father was in the Navy. Some of the amazing places I have been fortunate to live in were Scotland, Japan, Virginia, Florida, and California. I love the ocean and being at the beach. Moving from state to state and school to school, I believe, has allowed me to connect well with students who come to me throughout the year as a new student. I am married and have three children and one granddaughter. I have lived in Tucson since 1998.

 Current Office Hours: 

M, T, Th, F  1:30 - 3:00

W  3:00 - 3:45

 Defining Moment in My Education

During my student teaching, I was assigned to a 4th grade class at Elvira Elementary in the Sunnyside School District. This happened to be the very same school where I attended 4th grade. As I walked onto that campus this time as a student teacher and not a student, I felt a flood of emotions come over me. It felt like a full circle moment. Here I was, fulfilling a dream that I have had since I was in the 6th grade, at a school that I attended, and I couldn't wait to make a difference and begin this journey. 

 Core Educational Beliefs

Learning should be a collection of fun, exciting, challenging and growing experiences for kids. I believe in providing exposure to multiple approaches to engage them to learn. I believe in creating an environment where the unique learning styles of kids are addressed, where they feel safe to take risks, a place where kids accept challenges and persevere to complete them, and positive and encouraging relationships are established. Students play a vital role in their learning and I want to foster that desire to be actively involved. I want kids to be excited about learning and become lifelong learners.

 Prior Experience

2016 - current   Self-contained ED Classroom Teacher      La Cima Middle School

2015 - 2016      4th Grade Mesa Verde ES   Amphitheater School District

2012 - 2015      6th - 8th Grade Resource Math   La Cima MS  Amphitheater School District

2008 - 2011      3rd Grade  Estes ES               Marana Unified School District

2002 - 2008      5th Grade  Esperanza ES   Sunnyside School District 

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Arizona 2002

Mathematics Specialist Endorsement

Cross-Cat Endorsement