NAME:
Mrs. Cathleen Francis
SCHOOL:
Student Leadership Academy
CLASS:
6th - 8th Drama
SCHOOL PHONE:
(941)485-5551
Mrs. Francis is very excited to begin her 4th year at Student Leadership
Academy as the 6th, 7th and 8th grade Drama teacher for the 2011 - 2012
school year.
During her time at SLA, she has taught 2 years of drama and 1 year of 8th
grade science. Prior to SLA, she taught fifth grade for three and a half
years at Taylor Ranch Elementary.
Mrs. Francis has an Associate of Arts degree in Music, a Bachelors degree
in Elementary Education and a Masters in Education with Specialization in
Reading and Mathematics. She is certified in Elementary Education grades K -
6, Middle Grades Integrated certification 5 - 9, Drama 6 - 12 and is ESOL
endorsed.
Born in New Jersey, Mrs. Francis moved with her parents to the Venice area
in 1974. After graduation from Venice High School and Manatee Community
College, she moved to New York City for 15 years, working in the film,
fashion and music industries. In 1997 she returned to Venice to be closer to
family and friends while pursuing her education degrees.
Mrs. Francis is married with a son, Sean, who recently graduated from the
University of South Florida and a son, Ryan in his junior year at Booker High
School in the VPA. Her husband is an 8th and 10th grade teacher at Phoenix
Academy in Sarasota. The Francis family also have a Golden Retriever puppy
named Cinnamon Willow and a kitten named Nigel Wellington.
Each child is a beautiful gem. With some, the sparkle is instantly
visible. With others, polishing will uncover brilliance. Each child has
multiple facets – rough, jagged, fragile, and remarkable.
As an educator, my mission is to support my students in the development of
their individual strengths. To achieve this goal, my classroom will feature
student-centered learning and experiential education in a caring and
supportive classroom environment.
By planning my instruction with Bloom’s Taxonomy in mind, my students will
be challenged. By incorporating Gardner’s “Multiple Intelligences” in my
lessons, my students will be engaged. And by differentiating the curriculum
to accommodate all learners, my students will experience success. As a
whole, my class will become encouraging teammates though the use of
cooperative learning.
All children have a special purpose in life. The challenge is in
discovering and encouraging the manner in which they best understand the
subject, their interests and their passions. It is my belief that through
this approach to education the unique beauty of each gem will be revealed.