Welcome to my class website! My name is Stacy Vensko and I am a second
grade teacher. This is my ninth year of teaching elementary
school. I truly love getting up in the morning and going to work! Second
graders are so much fun to teach because they are so eager to learn and
please!
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After high school, I
attended Penn State University for two years and then transferred to
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where I received my Bachelor of Science
in Education degree in 2000. Right out of college, I got my my first
teaching job in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and have been teaching in the
classroom ever since. I have been very fortunate to teach in many parts of
the country, including New Mexico, Florida, and even overseas in Germany!
Some of my professional goals include someday receiving my National Board
Certification.
Currently, I live in the sunshine state with my wonderful husband, John
and our son Noah Stephen. We also have one sweet Boxer pup named Gordon and
one kitty cat name Bleau (pronounced Blue).
When I'm not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends,
working on my website, boating, camping, shopping, and of course,
spending time at the beach! Here are some of my favorite things!
MY
FAVORITE THINGS
SEASON
Fall (in Pittsburgh)
ITEM
TO
COLLECT
Gingerbread people and children's books
HOLIDAY
Christmas
FOOD
pierogies, steak, potatoes
RESTAURANT
Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse
TREATS
Gummy Bears, salt & vinegar chips
FRUIT
strawberry, cherry
DRINK
iced tea
CHILDRENS AUTHORS
Jan Brett
CHILDREN'S BOOK
Rainbow Fish, Stellaluna
FLOWER
Stargazer Lily
SCENT
Noah's babywash, vanilla candles
PERFUME
Miss Dior
Cherie
TV
Show
Law and Order, American Idol
SUBJECT TO
TEACH
Reading and Writing
VACATION
SPOT
Jamaica mon!
SPORTS TEAM
Pittsburgh Steelers football (Go black and gold!)
COLOR
Aqua
MUSICAL GROUP/SINGER
Dave Matthews Band
Here are a few pictures of my family!
Beautiful Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Our new Fall family picture!
Noah 21 months old
My little ELMO!
My handsome little man!
Noah eating an icecream cone!
Christmas 2006 - In LOVING memory of our beloved friends, Treya &
Paige
Mom's favorite picture of all!
Noah 6 months old
Mission For The Class
The mission for my class is to create a challenging and nurturing classroom
environment where kids have fun while they learn. I strive to create a
classroom community where kids feel safe and take risks while learning. I
want my students to understand that it is human to make mistakes and that is
how we learn. In my classroom, I hold high expectations for all of my
students and expect them to try their very best each day. It is my goal to
instill a love of learning in each of my students. Here are some things
that I believe about teaching elementary children:
I BELIEVE THAT...
*all children CAN and WANT to learn, if they are given the
necessary "tools" from home.
*students learn best by being actively engaged, so my classroom is centered
around hands-on work stations. I truly believe in the statement "Hands-
on, Minds'On"and strive to incorporate daily activities that embrace
that pedagogy.
* students have their own unique learning styles and it is my
responsibility as their teacher to discover these individual learning styles
and to teach according to them as much as possible.
*students learn from teaching one another, so in my classroom, students are
constantly paired up with a partner or in a small group to discuss their
learning with one another and for daily cooperative learning experiences.
*instruction needs to be differentiated in order to meet the diverse needs
of our classrooms today.
*music holds the "KEY" to learning in elementary school, so I incorporate
singing and music into ALL subject areas as much as possible.
*"practice makes permanent" not perfect, so my students have opportunities
daily to practice what they have been learning during the year.
