Hello! I wanted to share a little bit about me.
I think Sheridan is a great place to be. I started teaching here in 1979 – before we had computers in school. (I did work on computers then, though, at a bank that I worked at in college – but the “hard drive” was as big as our SCHOOL!) A lot of things have changed since then – but one thing is the same: We still have GREAT parents, teachers, and KIDS!
Speaking of kids, I have 3 daughters. They are not really kids any more, but they are to me. My three daughters are 23, 23, and 21. We used to be foster parents when the girls were little. We had 9 foster kids all together. They are all grown.
My husband, Harlan, is the guy that my students often call “the tall dude”. He is 6’6”. He teaches at ISU, and is an accountant. He is a really nice guy, and helps me a lot. You will see him at the parade (in charge of the flaggers), on field trips, at PTA events, and in the room helping me sometimes. He grew up in Normal.
I lived in Chicago until I went to ISU. I lived in the city on the southwest side (by Ford City Shopping Center) and I also lived in Markham from the time I was little until I was in 8th grade.
We live out of town, but not far from Sheridan. I will probably see you “in the neighborhood” because we shop and do errands near school. Our favorite restaurants are Bob Evans and Culvers.
Harlan and I have lots of hobbies and interests. We love music, gardening, traveling, hanging out with friends, and learning new things. We also enjoy our church – First United Methodist Church – which is right next door to ISU. We like to build things, fix things, go on work trips, do volunteer work, and help others. We used to have lots of dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs, a newt, fish, etc.
Last summer I got to go to Africa to teach!! It was incredible. Six teachers went from Illinois to Liberia to help teachers there teach phonics.
I really did decide I wanted to be a teacher when I was in first grade. Adults told me that I would change my mind, but I never did. In fact, I started teaching really young. We did not have kindergarten in Chicago when I was a kid. I learned how to read before I went to 1st grade. The first day of first grade, I got in trouble!! I was supposed to do one page in a reading workbook, and I got excited and did the whole book. (The books were small ones). The teacher was upset with me for not following directions. I told her that I would help another student do his reading. I helped him every day from that day until 7th grade!! My mom says I did my student teaching in grade school.
At the beginning of school I get excited (and a little bit nervous) about a new school year. It is great to be a teacher because you learn new things and meet lots of wonderful people.
I can’t wait to find out more about you! See you soon, Mrs. Fuller