Hello!
My name is Ms. Whittaker and this is my 5th year teaching at Acorn Montessori School. I am a certified teacher in the state of Arizona, having graduated with a degree in elementary education from the University of Phoenix. I spent a year and a half teaching 6th grade, filling in teaching 7th grade Reading, and subbing in the middle school before permenantly moving onto the middle school team. I am now in my second year teaching Social Studies to 7th and 8th grade as well as 8th grade art and cooking. Social Studies has been a passion of mine since I was introduced to it in depth in 6th grade. While attending college I took many elective courses in the social sciences with an emphasis on cultural anthropology and United States history. I am a huge proponent of the hands-on Montessori learning approach and strive to integrate project based learning and immersive cultural experiences whenever possible. I also empahsize citizenship both as a member of the classroom and as part of the larger community and world, encouraging reflective thought and community participation through regular service projects. This year I am also using a focus on Positive Growth Mindset and goal setting as strategies for success in life with applications to Social Studies through economics, citizenship, personal responsibility, and our place in history.
"Social Studies teaches us about the past, in order to prepare us for our future."