NAME:
Dr. Tarja (tar-ya) Geis
SCHOOL:
Kendale Lakes Elementary School
CLASS:
REACH Advanced Academics Grades 4 & 5 Language Arts/Reading
E-MAIL:
tarjageis@dadeschools.net
Dr. Geis is an established teacher. She has her Doctorate Degree in
Education and maintains certification in numerous areas. As a National
Board Certified teacher, she has undergone a national assessment of her
teaching knowledge,abilities, and skills. Dr. Geis has had the opportunity
to work in many varied roles in Miami-Dade County Schools; including
educational specialist (teaching teachers), counselor, and co-
founder/administrator of Dr. Gilbert Porter Elementary. Her passion is
teaching and her love is elementary school children.
She has received numerous awards, including International Phi Delta
Kappa's Service Award and Golden Quill Award. She
has twice in her career been a Region VI semi-finalist in the M-DCPS Teacher
of the Year Awards. Many grants and recognitions have been awarded to her.
She is recognized in the WHO'S WHO OF AMERICANS, and EDUCATION. In addition
to her day teaching, she is an adjunct professor for Barry University's
(Kendall) School of Education, teaching professionals the following
courses: EDU 601 Methodology of Research, 708 Independent Research, 535
Teaching of Language Arts,
Literature, and EDU 607 Beginning Reading, as well as 320 Children's
Literature. Dr. Geis was awarded the Miami-Dade County Elementary Social
Studies 2006 Teacher of the Year award. She received a 2008 grant
for puppetry "Books Alive" and the Education Fund 2009 award for "Teaching
the Holocaust" which included a free student trip to the Holocaust
Memorial on Miami Beach. Recently she received an IMPACT II grant and
recognition for the AR MILLIONAIRE CLUB. In addition, Dr. Geis has had the
honor of "Teachers as Heroes" for several years.
Dr. Geis was born in Finland. When she moved to the United States, she
spoke Finnish and Swedish. English is her third language.
She has visited many countries including Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Israel,
Venezuela, Spain, China, Japan, and Norway. Dr. Geis looks forward to
travel and learning about world cultures, education, writing, history, and
art.
Dr. Geis is the author of 2 books, THE H BOOK, a memorial book for a
dear friend who died of cancer and THE HOLOCAUST STORY (for children)
available through Xlibris 1-888-795-4274 (a few copies are in the KLE media
center). She is also a consultant in the field of education and literature.
Her home is Miami, where she lives with her husband. Both of her adult
sons, Jeff and Steve, and grandson Nathan and granddaughter Natalie, also
reside in the Miami area.
1. Attain and maintain a lifelong desire and love to learn and excel to the
best of each student's ability and to enjoy learning and school.
2. Become productive leaders and successful well-rounded international
citizens, understanding and contributing to the world..making a positive
difference.
