About The Teacher

NAME: Ms. McLelland (Ms. Mac)

SCHOOL: James Leitch Elementary

CLASS: Ms. Mac's 1st Grade Busy Bee Scholars

SCHOOL PHONE: 510-657-6100-44015

Meet Ms. Mac

Welcome to first grade!  My name is Ms. Chris McLelland (Ms. 'Mac') and I am 
delighted to have your child in class this year.  I am looking forward to a 
fun and exciting time together!  I still remember how much I enjoyed my 
first grade year (click on the pictures in 'Long, Long Ago'); and raising 
four children of my own taught me first hand what a huge committment of 
time, patience, and support is necessary to be a parent.  After being a full 
time mom and wife for 16 years, I went back to school.  Graduating from UC 
Berkeley and attending both Boalt and the Sorbonne, led me to representing 
clients in Workers' Comp Law for five years.  Finally, I decided to go back 
to school and get my teaching credential. I knew from the first year I had 
found my calling.  When those sweet faces greet me each morning, 
I am reminded how fortunate I am to spend my days with them, sharing our 
adventures in learning.  In the last ten years of teaching I have been 
gratified to be nominated for the Disney Award in Teaching 5 years running, 
elected to Who's Who of Teachers, and received both the Prudential Award for 
Excellence in Teaching and Fremont Unified's Most Promising 
Teacher Award, but the most valuable prizes I continue to receive are the 
kind words of appreciation from students and parents.  When questioned as to 
what was the the one thing a former student of mine liked best about "Ms. 
Mac", he replied, "I like it that when Ms. Mac teaches me stuff, she doesn't 
make my head hurt!" That's what it's all about!  That's why I'm here.

Be the Best that we can 'Bee'

The heart of my philosophy of teaching is to be a facilitator, an 
encourager, and a confidence builder.  It is my goal to have every student 
leave knowing he or she can learn and excited to come back to 
school the next day.  Assessment constantly guides instruction so students 
needing more challenges aren't bored, and those struggling receive help 
without feeling frustrated.  Differentiation is the key. Employing the 
latest literacy training, we will be learning to ask better questions, make 
more accurate inferences, and give evidence to defend them.   In addition, 
we will be talking about math, using manipulatives to build math sense, and 
reviewing regularly with Mt. Math.  

My heart smiles with satisfaction when I  think of the power we have, 
working together, to touch the lives of children - to awaken in them a 
passion and excitement for learning.  Thank you for sharing your child with 
me this year!