WELCOME TO 5th GRADE! Back Again!! Yay!

About Me: The two most important things about me are "I LOVE TEACHING!" and "I BELIEVE ALL CHILDREN CAN LEARN"! This will be my 31st year teaching and 26 of those years have been at Rail Ranch! I also have two children that are Rail Ranch alumni (graduates of Vista Murrieta) who are both in law school. My son played baseball, basketball, and football in high school and baseball in college. My daughter was a level 10 gymnast and transitioned to pole vault at UCLA.  They are excellent examples of what Rail Ranch and Murrieta schools can produce. I am very proud of my children, but I really am sharing this so you know that I remember what it feels like to be a parent that is busy but wants the best for their children. It can be a challenge to juggle it all but I think we can make a team effort to help each other.

 My Teaching Style: My teaching style is strict and firm but I try to make sure they know I care about them and want them to laugh and smile each day they are at school! My discipline style is based on building a relationship with your child first and foremost which will help them learn and grow from their mistakes. I will always have a conversation with your child to hear their viewpoint and seek to find a way to solve problems that lets students feel respected and proud of the lesson they learned. I have taught every grade from preschool to 6th grade but I strive to learn something new about teaching, students, and families every year to continue growing as an educator. I have only been a teacher because teaching was what I chose to do in 3rd grade because of the great teachers and experience I had in school.  I loved school and that’s what I strive to create for your children. 

My Goals:  My goals with your children are to build strong independent learners that are academically and socially confident and capable. I believe in the parent-teacher-student connection and believe it is the foundation of student achievement. I know students will have lots of different needs this year and hope to get to know each one of them and give them what they need while making this an exciting and fun year with lots of learning. 

Thank you in advance for your support and feel free to reach out and introduce yourself and your child!

Mrs. Rucker