Welcome Families!

My name is Danica Alphie and it is my pleasure to welcome you to 6^th Grade CORE – Accelerated Math & Science at Dorothy McElhinney Middle School!

About Me

This is my tenth year in the classroom and my second year at DMMS. I’m excited to be teaching the Accelerated Math 6 courses again.

Prior to working in Murrieta, I taught for 2 years in Irvine and 6 years in Valencia, CA, at award-winning public schools. Most of my teaching was in fifth grade, which means I have a clear understanding of skills required to be successful in 6^th grade and beyond.

In addition to being a UCLA Regent and Alumni Scholar, I received my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Fullerton in 2012. I also earned a second Masters in Educational Leadership, completed at Concordia University, Irvine in 2019. While teaching in Newhall School District, I had the privilege of serving on the Instructional Leadership Team, Positive Behavior Supports Team, and was the Director of Gifted and Talented for Grades 4-6 for 5 years. I was honored to receive my school site’s  Above and Beyond in Teaching Award in 2019.  

I am a firm believer that learning should be rigorous, but also interesting, creative, and fun! Through the year, we will strengthen and expand our skills as scientists and mathematical problem-solvers.

Communication

There are multiple ways to communicate with me.

Email: dalphie@murrieta.k12.ca.us

You can also send me a message via Aeries ParentSquare and I encourage you to join my Canvas Courses as  Parent Observer. This allows you to view my Canvas Courses and has a messaging feature.

Supplies

Please review the Supply List for this year. If you are unable to provide these supplies for your child, please let me know and I will be happy to assist.

Behavior Expectations

McElhinney Middle use a Positive Behavior System to help all students succeed. Our core values can be easily remembered with the acronym COLT.

C – Creative and Compassionate

O – Optimistic and Open-Minded

L – Leader and Learner

T – Tenacious and Trustworthy

I encourage you to speak with your child about each of these values, and brainstorm what each my look like at school.

Please be on the look out for my syllabus, which will give more details about Academics.

I’m looking forward to getting to know your child.

Here’s to a wonderful year! 😊

Warm Regards,

Danica Alphie, M.S., M.A.