About the Teacher

Sara Karraker

Carl Junction Intermediate School

5th Grade

SCHOOL PHONE: 417-649-7011


I love being a teacher!  I was born and raised in Joplin, and I have two 
older brothers, and two wonderful, supportive parents. I 
graduated from highschool in 1995, and went to college at Central Missouri 
State University, in Warrensburg, MO and Missouri Southern State University, 
in Joplin, Mo. I graduated from college in 2000, and have 
been enjoying life in Carl Junction ever since. Originally, I was a Special 
Education Teacher here at CJ Intermediate for 5th grade. After six years I 
decided to become a classroom teacher and began the class with in a class 
program (CWC)at the 5th grade level here at CJ Intermediate.  This is my 
fourth year as a classroom teacher using the  CWC program.  I have a thirteen
year old son who keeps me very busy with extra-curricular activities.  I am 
very excited to be teaching so many wonderful and interesting students.  I 
know that we all will learn a lot this year!  

One of my favorite activities is spending time with my family!  I also enjoy 
reading any kind of book, family dinners, dancing, watching soccer games, 
knitting, and scrapbooking! I enjoy teaching and I am always looking 
for ways to make learning fun and exciting for my students.

Mission For Our Class

My mission as a teacher is to make sure that I create a challenging and 
nurturing classroom where kids have fun while they learn! I strive to create 
a classroom community where kids feel safe to take risks while learning! I 
hold high expectations for all of my students. I encourage and expect them to 
do their best EVERYDAY! 

Most of all, I hope that my students learn that they can achieve everything 
they put their minds to!

I believe: 

* all children can and want to learn if they are provided with the necessary 
support and guidance from home 

* students learn best by being actively engaged 

* students have their own unique learning styles and it is my responsibility 
as their teacher to discover their styles and teach according to them as much 
as is realistically possible 

* students learn from cooperative activities and therefore in my classroom 
they are constantly paired with partners for many classroom experiences 

* instruction needs to be differentiated in order to meet the diverse needs 
of my classroom 

* "PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT," not perfect, so students will need to have 
daily practice of what has been learned. This practice needs to be done in a 
variety of ways!