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NAME: Mrs. Christina Taylor

SCHOOL: Westwood High School

CLASS: English I

SCHOOL PHONE: (512) 428-3936

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About The Teacher
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Christina Taylor is a native Texan, born in Austin and raised in Richardson 
(a suburb just north of Dallas). She is a University of Texas alumna with a
Bachelor of Arts degree in both English and French and a 
teaching certification for secondary education in English.


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Teaching Philosophy
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I believe in capitalizing on student interests, using them to teach.  Many 
of my teaching toolstechnology, popular music, art, film, play-doh, 
crayons, and markersare employed with this in mind.  I strive to prime 
students for learning by convincing them that learning CAN be fun.

If I were a breakfast cereal, it would be Kix: 'Kid tested; mother 
approved.'  The cereal's tag line summarizes my approach to education.  I 
try to make my classes fun (kid tested), yet students learn (mother 
approved).  More important, I relate what students study in school (mother 
approved) to the larger picture of their lives (kid tested) through the use 
of popular music, film, art, and discussion of relevant social issues.


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Co-Teaching
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Mrs. Taylor's 5th and 6th block classes are co-taught with 

Mrs. Frerichs. Together, Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Frerichs plan and execute 
the lessons, monitor student progress, and assess student learning.  Co-
teaching enriches the learning environment by:
  - making available a wider range of instructional alternatives.
  - reducing fragmentation of instruction.
  - enhancing the participation of students.
  - providing a powerful support system for the professionals involved.


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Mission For The Class
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To acquire the communication skills-reading, writing, speaking, listening, 
and viewing and representation-needed in order to be critical thinkers and 
life-long learners who are prepared for the challenges of our ever-changing 
world both today and tomorrow.