NAME:
Ms. Petrello
SCHOOL:
Sarah Smith Elementary School
CLASS:
5th Grade
SCHOOL PHONE:
404 842-3120
If you asked me ten years ago where I would be now, I would never think
teaching in Atlanta, GA. Here I am and I love it! I'm from Ohio and my heart
is still in Ohio. After graduating from Miami University of Ohio with a degree
in Speech Pathology, I moved to Atlanta to work as a volunteer grant writer
for a non-profit through the program Americorps VISTA. The job allowed me to
visit many schools and learn about after school programs. It was then that I
realize I wanted to be in the classroom.
In 2003, I joined a program called Teach for America and began teaching
third grade at Slater Elementary in Atlanta Public Schools. After teaching
there for three years, I joined the Sarah Smith Staff where I remained a
fourth grade teacher for two years. In 2008, I finally earned my Masters
of Arts in Teaching from Oglethorpe University.
While I'm not teaching or thinking about education, you can find me
working out with FitWit in Grant Park or walking my dog, Bernie. He is an 8
year old lab/boxer mix that can win the award for "Longest/Most Unusual
Tongue". I also enjoy traveling. Cleveland, Chicago, New York are some of my
favorite places in the states. Prague, Tokyo, and Seville are some of my
favorite places abroad. Next summer, I'm hoping to explore... Australia!
My mission for our 5th grade classroom is to create an environment of
independent learners who reflect on their own abilities and have the
confidence to develop their own learning styles. Our classroom community is
designed to build character skills and develop good communication habits.
Children take ownership of their learning by exploring individual talents and
interests.