Ms. Hutchins and Ms. Alfiero

Hello, I grew up here in the beautiful state of Maine and attended Wheaton College, just outside of Boston. I completed my undergraduate liberal arts degree with a major in Studio Art and a concentration in black and white photography. After graduating I traveled and taught an advanced reading and study skills course at various schools in Massachusetts, Georgia, and Jamaica. When I returned to the Boston area I taught pre-kindergarten at a small preschool. Fifteen months later I moved to Tucson to pursue a master’s degree from the University of Arizona in Teaching and Teacher Education (TTE) with a concentration in Language, Reading, and Culture (LRC), which I completed in December of 2001. I loved Tucson and spent five years teaching 3 rd and 4 th grades at two charter schools; I enjoyed every minute of it, but I decided to take this past year off to create an inventory of my own paintings and photographs. I returned to my school for a long term sub position and realized how much I truly missed teaching. I also decided that I really missed my family and Maine so I moved back here about 3 months ago and have been thrilled to be back. I just bought a house in South Portland about ½ a mile from school!!! My classroom philosophy is very simple. I believe that every student possesses a great potential to learn in an active and supportive environment, which requires a balance of fun, humor, and creativity along with structure, discipline, and a desire to succeed. I provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere that encourages my students to be risk-takers, imaginative thinkers, and confident leaders. Outside of school I enjoy playing sports, camping and rafting, going to the movies, painting, taking photographs, scrap booking, going out dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I have two crazy cats named Kitten and Tyler who keep me well entertained. I am so excited to be part of the Kaler team. I am eagerly awaiting the first day of school! I look forward to meeting the rest of the staff, parents, and students! Feel free to visit me in my classroom anytime. - Melissa Hutchins