Salutations! Yes, Charlotte’s Web is one of my favorite books to read to my students and they can read it too! My name is Shirley Mathis. I am a second grade teacher in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools system. I have been teaching for fifteen years. I taught for three years in South Carolina and twelve years in North Carolina. I am a little leery and reluctant about this on-line course. I guess I am from the era that the necessity of the physical structure of a classroom and a teacher is something I am accustom to and most definitely prefer. Do not worry Dr. Jackson, I will conform. I am really looking forward to my first experience of an on-line class.
This is my first year as a second grade teacher and it has been wonderful. I have taught students in the grades of Kindergarten to sixth grade. Basically, my heart lies with the Kindergarten children. Who wouldn’t love their innocence and honesty?
At my advanced age, I really do not remember much about my literacy learning. I can recall the Dick and Jane series and the repetition readings of, “see Spot run.” I remember the groupings of the red robin and blue birds. I do not recall the group in which I was placed.
During that era and more than likely the geographical location of my elementary school, writing was considered the formation of letters. I cannot recall writing paragraphs and/or stories of any sort until I attended middle school. Wow! Its very interesting that certain things in your life you really and truly cannot recall. I know I must have written something before that time. It just didn’t have an impact at that time. However, I do remember the love I had for Hank Williams and his music. When I was in the second grade, I received a guitar for Christmas. I tried my best to imitate him whenever I pulled out my guitar. At that time, Hank Williams was better than biscuits and molasses. I would sit on our front porch, play my guitar, and sing like I him. I would also sing the oldies and goodies as we call them now, Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding, When A Man Loves A Woman by Percy Sledge, and Splish, Splash by Bobby Darin. However, my guitar was reserved and would be played for my number one person, Hank Williams. My favorite songs I would play that were by Hank Williams were, “Your Cheating Heart and I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Too much reminiscing and I do not have my guitar anymore.
As an educator, I have had the pleasure of working as a Title 1 Reading Teacher, which is the reason I enrolled in the Reading Program at ASU. I felt as though, if I am going to be a Reading Specialist, then I must have the credentials to go along with the title. I have thoroughly enjoyed this program and have learned a lot under the tutelage of well-knowledge and professional professors. I particularly discovered a lot about tutoring by taking the assessment and practicum course under the guidance of Dr. Darrell Morris. Sarah Borders was very instrumental in expanding my love for literacy and literature in the classes I took under her leadership. I learned more about literacy expression when I took Dr. Koppenhaver’s Class. I have been a benefactor of every class I have taken at Appalachian State University. I really and truly believe…. Appalachian State University has an awesome Reading Program.
I am very comfortable when I am with my children modeling and performing for them as I am encouraging them to do the same. I am more so very uncomfortable when I must perform or making a presentation in front of my colleagues and peers, in which I prefer not to do.
My love is teaching children to learn and believe in themselves that they can do anything they want to do. I love reading to my children and I love for them to read to me.
Shirley Mathis