Meet Mrs. Zider

NAME: Mrs. Nancy Zider

SCHOOL: Pioneer Elementary School

GRADE: First

SCHOOL PHONE: 630-771-2420

Meet Mrs. Zider

Hi! I’m Mrs. Nancy Zider, a first grade teacher, here at Pioneer School.  I 
am looking forward to a great year as we “Dive into Learning" this year in 
Grade 1.  I received my undergraduate degree from Miami 
University in Oxford, Ohio.  My Master’s Degree is from Benedictine 
University in Technology and Curriculum and Instruction.  I have been 
teaching for twenty-nine years with some time off to raise my children.  I 
taught first and second grade and worked as a Library/LMC Director in Ohio 
before having children.  While my children were young I worked part time as a 
preschool teacher and as a Reading Recovery teacher.  Since being hired in 
the Valley View District I have worked as an LMC Director, bilingual 
kindergarten teacher, kindergarten teacher, and now have happily landed in 
first grade.

My teaching style is a hands-on approach with active learning through the 
use of centers, reading and writing workshops, and math stations.  I make 
learning fun!  By having a chance to make appropriate choices children are 
empowered to reach new heights in learning.  I teach the children to learn 
to read strategically which will help them in the grades to come.  I 
believe in a strong home and school connection and that by working as a 
team we will help your child be the best he/she can be in first grade.  I 
pride myself on instilling a lifelong love of reading and learning in my 
students.  Most of all, I want your child to feel success everyday and to 
love school and learning.

My family is very important to me.  I have a husband, (Dave) a son, (Matt) 
a daughter, (Emily) a golden retriever dog, (Mazie), and a new kitty (Milo).  
Matt graduated from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering and is 
working as an electrical engineer in Indianapolis.  Emily graduated from 
University of Illinois in Sociology and "travel".  She just returned from a 
summer job abroad in Italy.  During the school year Emily works at Belo U.S.A 
leading tours for foreign exchange students. My husband and I love to spend 
time walking our dog and just relaxing together.   We both love it on the 
rare occasions when our whole family is in the same place at the same time.  
In my free time I like to read, garden, watch movies, shop, collect 
children’s books, and eat out.  We had a wonderful trip to Italy and I 
would have to say that spending time as a family together is my very 
favorite activity. We all spent time in Northern Michigan together this 
summer. 

I truly love teaching, especially first grade!  I so enjoy six and seven 
year olds and all the joy they bring to our classroom.  I am looking forward 
to getting to know you all…students and parents, and expect to have another 
fantastic year at Pioneer Elementary!  By working together we will help your 
child excel beyond your dreams as we "dive deep into learning" to build your 
child as a learner this year!

Our Class Mission Statement

We will work as a team to do our very best so that we are learning the most 
that we can.  We will learn to think, challenge ourselves, and be lifelong 
learners.  We will decide on classroom rules to follow so that we have a 
safe and happy place to learn.  We know that we all make mistakes and we can 
learn from them.  We will be kind and respectful to each other.  We will be 
safe and caring citizens.  We know we are responsibile for ourselves.  We 
will do tons of reading, math, writing, and other fun things so that we love 
learning.  At home we will read and do homework so we can be the "BEST WE 
CAN BE!!!!!!"

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Color:Sky Blue
Number:11
Season: Fall
Flower: Daisies
Type of Food: Mexican, Italian
Fruit:Peaches
Candy:Dove Chocolate
Restaurants:Front Street Cantina, Stir Crazy, Flat Top, Clara's
Movies: Somewhere in Time, August Rush, You've Got Mail, Sleepless 
        in Seattle 
TV Shows: Grey's Anatomy, Dancing With the Stars, American Idol
Musical Artists:Five for Fighting,Rascal Flatts,Frank Sinatra, 
                Eva Cassidy, Colbie Callait,Andrea Bocelli  
Things to Collect:Children's books!
Adult Authors:Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Ann Patchett,Anna Quindlen
Children's Authors:Kevin Henkes, Eve Bunting, Jan Brett, Tomie dePaola
Vacation Spots:Capri, Italy...Siena, Italy...Punta Cana, Dominican 
Republic... Glen Arbor, Michigan, and beaches everywhere!




Affirmations for Teachers
1.I am proud to be a teacher.
2.Teaching is one of the most honorable and noble of all professions.
3.I LOVE what I do and know that my enthusiasm is contagious.
4.I bring knowledge, dedication, and understanding to my classroom.
5.I make a positive difference in my students' lives.
6.My students will be better people because of my efforts and I will be a 
better person because of them.
7.I know what I give to my students will come back to me in many wonderful 
and unexpected ways.
Source: DailyApples.com