I am the oldest of five in an extended family of...well...a lot.
My mom taught me to read when I was 2 1/2 years old and I read anything I could get my hands on. Early reading sparked an early passion for writing. In 8th grade, I had a teacher that helped me put my passion for reading, writing, and language to good use. That's when I knew I wanted to be a teacher. It was then that I started a notebook of teaching ideas, writing down anything my teachers did throughout the years that I wanted to adapt for my own classroom. I still carry that notebook to this day and I use it to influence my teaching.
After I graduated from West Bloomfield High School, I went to the University of Michigan where I got my degree in English. During my time at U of M, I worked at the Sweetland Writing Center as a Peer Tutor, and I was also a course assistant for Writing 100 (a class offered by the Summer Bridge Program), which is to assist incoming freshmen with the transition from high school writing to college writing.
I completed my student teaching at North Farmington High School. The following year, I was hired there as a full-time teacher. I spent three years at North Farmington, teaching 12th Grade Essay Writing and 10th Grade American Literature as well as advising Student Senate. Now, I am excited to be a Troy Colt for a third year!
I work with high school students in many capacities outside the classroom and even outside of Troy High. For the past 12 summers, I have gone to the MASC/MAHS Leadership Camp, where I went from a camper to a Junior Counselor to a Senior Counselor, and finally, to the Curriculum Director. Each summer I attend camp, I am privileged enough to work with at least 50 of the most inspiring educators as well as 500+ incredibly impressive high school student leaders from all around Michigan. I love to fuse leadership with my lessons as I encourage students to better themselves each day and to live leadership as a lifestyle. Many students from Troy High go to camp, and some of them graduate and become camp staff as well.
At Troy High, I am the freshman class advisor, a co-advisor of Colt Crew (Spirit Club), advisor of Games Club as well as Political Awareness Club. I was also a youth group leader and director for a middle school girls program at my church for six years, and now I am the chair of a high school youth program. I am also the director of a high school girls retreat as well as a youth camp (where we hire high-school and college-aged students as counselors).
I also completed the Red Cedar Writing Project at Michigan State University during the summer of 2015. It was a challenging, yet inspiring internship for teachers of writing. It connected me to a network of gifted writers and teachers of writing, who are always available for ideas. It also fully equipped me with endless tools and resources to help students reach their full writing potential.
So, it is no secret that I love to work with students, helping them to reach their full potential and become leaders and lifelong learners.
And finally...a few random facts about me:
1) I've always wanted to be the announcer for the Detroit Red Wings. When my brothers and I were younger and played NHL Hitz or watch Red Wings games, we used to turn down the volume and announce our own games. I love the rich history of our team.
Find Ms. Nafso ^^
2) I've played soccer almost my whole life and I'm not sure I can tire of it. I've also never missed watching a World Cup game since 2002. I used to keep notes on and write about every game because it was a chance to write, which I obviously love to do. Sportswriting is a passion and hobby.
3) I used to "sneak-read". When my mom used to put me to bed as a kid, it was lights out. But I always kept a flashlight and a book under my pillow (my favorite was The Chocolate Touch), and when I heard her turn on the TV in the family room, I took a flashlight and my book and would read for hours. If I heard my mom's footsteps, I shoved the flashlight and book back under my pillow and pretend to sleep. My mom recently revealed to me that she knew I did that -_____-
4. Last, but not least, I am an EXCELLENT photo-bomber.