Grade 4-Smallwood, Susan / Ms. Smallwood Rose

Ms.Smallwood Rose

Ms. Smallwood Rose;

however, please call me

Ms. Rose!

This is my 10th year teaching at Cool Spring Elementary! I have taught fourth and fifth grade at Cool Spring. I see 4th grade as a wonderful opportunity to incorporate one of my hobbies into the classroom -- Virginia History.

I graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Psychology. Before I became an elementary school teacher, I was a manager at Xerox Corporation in both Herndon and Leesburg. I managed the technical writing team and worked as a writer of technical literature, developed training on new technologies, and trained employees. I changed my career by returning to George Mason University and enrolling in their Master's with initial teacher's licensure program.

I love teaching children, and generally try to incorporate many "hands on" tactics to keep the students active and getting "practical" experience. I encourage a cooperative learning scenario whereby children are encouraged to work together to agree on answers and be able to independently support them. I manage my classroom focusing on how each child's differences can be seen as "strengths," rather than weaknesses. Respect is a key component for me both amongst each other in the school community but for ourselves.