Welcome to third grade!  My third grade year was a very special year for me.  This is when I really fell in love with school.  When my teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I already knew the answer.  I looked at her and said, "When I grow up, I am going to be a teacher!"  I am so thankful that I get to do something that I absolutely love!  I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

I grew up in Gainesville, TX and love everything about it.  I graduated with honors from the University of North Texas and was hired by McNair Elementary as a fourth grade teacher during the 2006-2007 school year.  I taught in Denton for one year, and as soon as a position became available here at Chalmers, I followed my heart right back to Gainesville.  Now, I am proud to be teaching 3rd grade in the school that I love.  This is my 16th year at Chalmers and my 17th year teaching.

I am married and have a 8 year old son named Jeffrey.  Jeffrey is super excited about attending school here this year.  He will be in third grade.  I am married to Russell Spence.  We have lots of fun camping, fishing, and riding on our golf cart.  We have 3 dogs that we absolutely love.  They are part of our family. Peanut is a white Chihuahua.  Duke is a white Shih Tzu.  They are both small dogs and love to spend time sitting in our laps.  We also have Mojo.  He is a big, brown German Shepard/Lab mix.  Mojo thinks he is a small dog too, but he weighs 90 pounds.  When he jumps up in my lap like the other two small dogs, you can't even see me.  We have adopted the neighborhood cat.  When Jeffrey realized that she didn't have a home, he fell in love with her. We decided that she should come live with us, and he named her Kitty.  I love spending time with my family and look forward to seeing them every day when I get home from school.

We are going to have lots of fun learning new and exciting things this year!  I am so excited to be your teacher!  Always ask questions if you don't understand, and remember that it is very important to take pride in your learning.  If you give your best, you will be pleased with the results.  Remember that we are all learning together, so never be afraid to try.  Sometimes we fail, but if we keep trying, we will be successful.  I want you to be proud of yourself, and see yourself as I see you.  You are special, and you are loved!