Mrs. Briggs and Ms. Fowler

View Fifth Grade Artwork here

Hi, my name is Mrs. Briggs, and I love teaching. Fifth grade is an exciting grade filled with lots of new opportunities and wonderful learning experiences.All three of my children are grown up and are either in college or have graduated.I have been teaching in the South Portland School Department for the last 13 years. Most of that time has been spent teaching at Kaler School in grades 3, 4 or 5. Some of my favorite hobbies or pastimes are; reading, cooking, golfing, and swimming. I also enjoy long walks with my dog Heidi. She is a four year old German shepherd with lots of energy and personality.

It is my pleasure to be one of the fifth grade teachers at the James Otis Kaler Elementary School. Fifth grade is a wonderful year for students; I am always impressed by the academic and personal growth that takes places for fifth graders between September and June.

This is my fifth year teaching fifth grade. Prior to coming to South Portland, I worked in the North Yarmouth and Cumberland public schools. I have also taught in a Grades 3/4 Multi-age classroom in Augusta and substituted in a range of grade levels. I completed my student teaching in Gorham as a part of the Extended Teacher Education Program at the University of Southern Maine in 2000-2001. In 2004, I completed my Master’s in Education at USM.

My undergraduate degree is from Simmons College in Boston, MA. I was raised in the Boston area, but I was fortunate to often visit family in the Portland area when I was a child. I moved to Maine eight years ago and love to call it home. Living here provides me with opportunities to enjoy many of my favorite things, including spending time on and near the ocean, camping, hiking, and biking. Currently, much of my extra-curricular time is spent working on the many projects involved in being a house owner. Home-improvement and gardening tasks keep me with my hands full.

In my classroom practice, I strive to engage kids in classroom experiences which get them excited about subject matter. I recognize that students learn and demonstrate their learning in many different ways and, therefore, try to provide them with a diversity of challenges throughout the school year. Citizenship and community building are essential components of my classroom program. Each year I look for ways to involve the students in working collaboratively to accomplish goals which will benefit the world outside of our school walls. I enjoy opening the classroom to the community, and I encourage community members who have an interest in working with students to contact me with their ideas and suggestions.

....Summer Letter from Ms. Fowler..... please click here....