Hello!

I'm so happy to be part of this wonderful school community, and I'd like to share a bit about myself with you. I am married with two children, ages 29 and 25. We also have a cat and a dog. We live in Brighton, but I grew up in Webster and am very familiar with the area.

I hold a BS and a MS degree in Education, and have been teaching for 39 years. This is my fourteenth year at St. Rita School. I spent 22 years at Holy Trinity School. There, I taught second grade for 8 years, Kindergarten for 2 years, and fifth grade for 12 years. I also taught sixth grade Religion for 6 of the 12 years spent in fifth grade. I served as a mentor teacher for several new teachers, a cooperating teacher for two student teachers from Nazareth's graduate program, and also was teacher-in-charge-in-principal's absence. I can't imagine doing anything other than teaching. It is truly a calling for me!

My own two children were blessed to have attended St. Rita School. I have always been very impressed with the excellent academic, spiritual, and emotional attention given to each child, and to the families as well! I am extremely honored to be a part of this exceptional community!

I would like to share my philosophy of education with you:

I look upon a class in terms of its members. I recognize and respect individual learning styles, abilities, personalities, backgrounds, and multiple intelligences while planning and implementing my lessons. I encourage and guide my students to recognize how they best gather, process, retain, and express their knowledge. This is done through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities across the curriculum. I employ such strategies as Computer Technology, Direct Instruction, Interactive Learning, Differentiated Instruction, and Inquiry-based Learning to name just a few. We will be employing online resources, and using Google Classroom both at school and at home.

It is so very important for every child to experience success, and to feel secure in the knowledge that I am there as a sincere advocate offering support, guidance, and encouragement. I believe that children should have a stake in their classroom and be empowered toward a strong sense of self, and positive, healthful choices. I listen with respect and compassion to students’ thoughts and ideas. Always, Jesus is the guiding force in our classroom.         

Each child is part of a family, and each family has its own identity. I welcome and value parental involvement, initiating open and honest communication, to establish a supportive climate within a community of learners. I understand the profound trust that has been placed in me, and consider it a great privilege to nurture and educate the whole child in order to foster educational, spiritual, social, and emotional growth. The outside community provides a rich resource to show the children how they can make a difference in their world, and to enrich them with life skills, as well as a sense of empathy, respect, and responsibility toward others. You are most welcome to share your talents and gifts with us.

Please know that your children are very precious to me, and I am very committed to working closely with all of you to ensure that this year will be a successful one on every level. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, and/or concerns. My email address is: [email protected].

I am looking forward to working with you and your wonderful children!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Terese Farley