MS HEATHER GEARHART 1ST GRADE

My Story

I first knew that I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 5th grade. At that time, my cousin was in my class and she was pulled out for part of our reading lessons to get support from the Special Education teacher at our school. With my teacher’s encouragement, I took on the role of tutor for my cousin, catching her up the lessons she missed. I loved it! I also found that sometimes the other kids in class didn’t understand what the teacher was trying to teach them, especially in math. Somehow I was able to “translate” her teacher talk into something my friends could understand.

When I was in 7th grade, I began to volunteer in the preschool Sunday school class at church. By 8th grade I had become the teacher. I didn’t understand why some people were shocked to hear a junior high school student was teaching a Sunday school class. It was just natural, a part of who I am.

By the time I started college there was not a doubt in my mind that teaching was what I was called to do. After earning my Bachelor's of Art in Liberal Studies and my teaching credential at California State University Northridge, I came to work here at Katherine Elementary School in the fall of 1998.

I have taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade. I have loved them all. They each have their own challenges and rewards