Teacher

NAME: Steve Tobenkin

SCHOOL: Wagon Wheel Elementary School

CLASS: 5th Grade Math & Science Room 20

SCHOOL PHONE: (949) 589-1953

About The Teacher

This is my fourth year teaching fifth grade at Wagon Wheel. I love teaching 
Fifth Grade, and I know how lucky I am to be able to teach at such an 
awesome school!

As a third generation native of California, I am proud to call the Golden 
State my home.  I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I have lived in 
Southern California for the past 24 years; 18 of which have been in Trabuco 
Canyon.  My family includes my wife, Debbie, and sons Grant (a 7th grader at 
RSM Intermediate) and Noah (a 2nd grader at Robinson Elementary).  In our 
spare time, we like to read, go to baseball and football games, swim and 
hang out at the pool, and go to the beach.

My education includes a Bachelors degree in Business-Economics 
from UCLA (GO BRUINS!) and post graduate studies at Cal State 
Fullerton to earn my teaching credential.  During the 2007-08 school year, I 
completed a forty-five hour district program entitled Differentiated 
Instruction for All Learners (D.I.A.L.) and earned my D.I.A.L. 
certificate, replacing the GATE certificate.  I enjoy classes, both as a 
student and teacher, and it is exciting for me to learn something new every 
day.  I especially enjoy attending conferences to enhance my teaching of the 
Gifted & Talented as well as the math and science curriculum.  The greatest 
bonus of teaching, I believe, is the wealth of knowledge and perspectives 
that the scholars share with me!

At Wagon Wheel, I am fortunate to work with a phenomenal partner teacher, 
Mrs. Jill LeFever, who teaches Language Arts and Social Studies.  
Additionally, I serve on Wagon Wheel's School Site Council, a team of 
parents, administrators, and teachers who work to make our school an even 
better place to learn. 
I truly consider it an honor to have the opportunity to spend each day with 
such bright minded students.

Mission For The Class

Our class mission is aligned directly with Capistrano Unified School 
District's mission: All children will learn; all children will learn more 
today than yesterday; and all children will learn more tomorrow than 
today.

We will achieve our mission as a community of learners who are 
engaged in interactive and student-centered experiences. I think of our 
class as a team, and we will enjoy success as a team as we accept 
nothing less than each team member's personal best.

We will have an exciting, challenging,  and fun adventure this year in fifth 
grade -- strap in and enjoy the ride!