Fifth Grade--Teaching Team Celebrates Your Children's Growth!

Hello, fifth-grade families. This is Mike Runey, and I have with me the fifth-grade teaching team, three pretty amazing educators. In this episode, you'll get to know them better and hear about the incredible growth they've seen in your kids this year.

5th Grade Teaching Team: Indra Edmonds, Stephanie Higgins, Kaitlin Gilday

First, we have Mrs. Higgins, who has been teaching for 27 years in various states including New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Missouri. Next, Mrs. Edmonds, with over 15 years of experience, has taught in New York City, New Jersey, Riga, Latvia, and New Hampshire. Lastly, Ms. Gilday, finishing her third year at PCA and her second as a fifth-grade homeroom teacher, is an avid runner often seen with her dog, Lucy.

These educators share their journeys back to PCA and the satisfaction of bringing their experience and love for teaching to the school. Stephanie Higgins talks about her move back to New Hampshire due to family health concerns and the joy of returning to the ocean.

Mrs. Higgins also shares insights into her 5.3 math group, discussing the importance of developing a growth mindset and perseverance in math. She highlights how students move from saying, "I don't get it," to "I'm stuck," showing a willingness to engage and seek help.

Mrs. Edmonds discusses the writing challenges faced by students and the strategies used to overcome them. She explains the RACE method—Restate, Answer, Cite, and Expound—to help students systematically approach writing assignments. This method builds confidence and ensures students can effectively express their thoughts.

Ms. Gilday shares the spiritual growth observed in students, emphasizing their deep questions about God and their eagerness to pray for others. The class explored concepts like omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, leading to profound discussions about faith. The students also connected their learning to real-world stewardship during their National Parks project.

As the school year ends, the teachers reflect on their excitement for the students' future in sixth grade. They highlight the students' teamwork, musical growth, and readiness to tackle new challenges. The episode concludes with gratitude for the educators' dedication and a look forward to the upcoming school year.

Join us to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the fifth-grade students and the exceptional educators who guide them. God bless you, moms, dads, and kids. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!