Midway Elementary: Teacher Pages: Mrs. Symns - Title 1

Title 1

Teacher Page

By Shirley Symns

April 03, 2008

About Mrs. Symns
TItle I Reading and Math Coordinator	Shirley Symns ssymns@usd433.k12.ks.us
FederalPrograms (LCP) Contact
Mrs. Symns graduated from Kansas State University in 1969 with a degree in Elementary Education. She received her Masters degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Kansas State University in December, 2001 She has taken graduate level courses in reading and math periodically throughout her teaching career. These courses included courses in the process of reading, phonics, comprehension, phonemic awareness, literacy learning, guided reading, reading assessment, diagnosis of reading difficulties, methods of working with children with reading difficulties, methods of teaching problem solving to all ages, using calculators with children and practical uses of mathematics including the areas of economics education, and in exploring mathematics with children and parents. Mrs. Symns has taught in public schools in Atchison and Doniphan counties for 28 years. She taught 6th grade for 20 years and Title I for the past 8 years. She has also worked as a substitute teacher at all levels and as a tutor to individual students. Mrs. Symns has has completed training with the Kansas Reading First Academy, is a trained administrator of the DIBELS early literacy assessment, and has been trained to lead MAPPS Math Exploration events. She has participated in workshops dealing with trends in mathematical learning, Accelerated Math, problem solving, and diagnosing difficulties in learning mathematics. Her professional reading includes research into the best practices for teaching mathematics and investigation of various programs available to school for teaching reading and mathematics. She is a firm believer in the importance of teaching concepts as well as skills and being a life-long learner. Mrs. Symns's contributions to the Profession include conducting professional development in-services for the staff at Midway in the areas of problem solving, use of video in the classroom and dealing with change. She has been part of a team of educators presenting in-services for other schools in the state. She is a mentor to teachers in mathematical problem solving and serves as a reading resource when called upon. She is presently serving as Student Success Team Facilitator for USD 433. Mrs. Symns is a member of the International Reading Association, the National Education Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Announcements:

6:00 PM Thursday, April 17, 2008 is a date to put on your calendar. Title I will host a Family Game Night. Everyone is welcome to come to the cafeteria at 6 o'clock for a light supper and an hour and a half playing games with your children. The only requirement - come with your children, don't send them to play alone.
A music recital in the music room and Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader in the FACS will be taking place that evening as well. Come and enjoy the whole evening!