How long have you been a teacher?

I started teaching in 1995 at a school in California City, California. Other jobs I've had include decorating ice cream cakes, managing a Toys R Us store, waitressing, and working as an insurance adjustor.

I also worked at The Disney Store for 11 years. If you ever shopped at The Disney Store at Caesar's Palace I may have met you. I spent most of my time in the "gallery" with the art and collectible pieces. Sadly, the Forum Shop Disney Store closed in January 2005 and brought my cast member days to an end.

In the fall of 2007 I wandered into another Disney Store in town and bumped into some old friends. With a little convincing, I agreed to come back to do special projects like inventory or stage sets (setting up new displays of merchandise). All of my projects are behind the scenes or when the store is closed so it works out well with my school schedule.

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What grades have you taught?

I have taught first grade (ten years), second grade (one year), third grade (two years), and fourth grade (one year). During the 2006-2007 school year I was an Intervention Specialist and taught a grant-funded program I named A.C.E. (Academic Concept Enrichment) for students who needed a little extra help to build their academic skills.

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Where did you grow up?

When I was growing up, my family (mom, dad, sister, brother, dog and cats) lived in Woodland Hills, CA. That's in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles. I moved to Las Vegas in 1996 and over the past few years, most of my family has moved here as well. Hi Mom, Dad, Kelly, David, Andy, Lisa, Tyler, Abby, Chris, Becky, Big Tyler, Cooper, Jamie, and baby Carter!

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Where did you go to college?

I attended the University of Southern California (freshman year) and then transferred to Cal State Northridge where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development. I earned my teaching credential at Cal State Bakersfield and my Master of Education degree from Lesley University.

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How did you learn to do website designs?

In the spring of 2005 I started working with the computer specialist at our school, Yvonne Lambert, trying to come up with an idea for a school website.

Neither of us had built a website before so we experimented with a program called Dreamweaver. The Beatty Website and MyFunTeacher.com are the results of many hours of hard work! Since then I have taken a Dreamweaver class at U.N.L.V.

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What's your favorite place to go on vacation?

I've been to some great vacation spots! I've been on three cruises to the Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Ensenada). I also went on a cruise around the Hawaiian islands. What a great way to see four islands in a week!

The furthest I've been from home was when I vacationed in England and Scotland. The coast of Aberdeen is beautiful and the countryside is incredible!

Closer to home, my favorite vacation spots include Lake Tahoe (camping with my family) and Disneyland. I like to go to Disneyland at least once a year. Being on a year-round school calendar makes it a lot easier to enjoy the "off-season".

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What are you most proud of as a teacher?

I am proud to say I am a National Board Certified Teacher. It took three long years to complete the process and demonstrate my accomplishments but it was worth it! As a National Board Certified Teacher I think I am more reflective and thoughtful in my teaching style. I am constantly working to improve my teaching techniques to help my students grow and develop to their fullest potential.

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What are you happiest about?

I beat cancer! During the fall of 2005 I wasn't feeling well. My symptoms were a terrible cough, fatigue, and loss of appetite. I thought it was nothing.....wrong! By Christmas I was short of breath and miserable. I went to the doctor for a chest x-ray and was immediately admitted to the hospital for a week. It turns out I had lymphoma.

Lymphoma is a form of cancer in the lymph nodes. My lymphoma was in my chest, sitting in my lungs, making it hard for me to breathe. After my hospital stay, I started treatments. Because of the size and location of my lymphoma, I went for three weeks of radiation treatments, every day. It didn't seem possible, but my coughing finally subsided (after four months of hacking) and I was able to begin chemotherapy.

From February to July, 2006, I had eight rounds of chemo and the side effects that go with it. Then I went for thirty-five more radiation treatments. The bright side: it worked! The lymphoma is resolved. My hair has returned- a little bit darker and a lot thicker.

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Do you have any children?

I don't have any children of my own. I stay busy with my cat, Cody (he's 15), and the kids at school. I also have a bunch of nieces and nephews that are lots of fun to spend time with!

Hi Jamie, Cooper, Little Tyler, Becky, Big Tyler, Abby, Chris, and baby Carter!

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What do you like to do for fun?

This web site is my latest hobby. I also like to go to the movies or relax around the house. Sometimes, when it's not too hot (in Vegas?), I work in my flower garden. It has lots of different kinds of flowers: snapdragons, petunias, marigolds, stocks, sweet peas, tulips....

If I could pick a place to go for a weekend, it would definitely be Disneyland! I would stay at the Grand Californian Hotel (inside Disney's California Adventure Park) and have fun "park hopping" for a few days. Pirates of the Caribbean....Space Mountain...Soarin' Over California...Peter Pan...it's impossible to pick my favorite! It's a good thing I have an annual passport!

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Can I use your ideas in my classroom?

It is quite a compliment that you would like to use the ideas that are on my site! Please make sure you give credit where credit's due. If you have a website or class web page, please offer a link back to my page. If you send me an email I can visit your site.

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