My name is Dawn Nomick and I am one of the fourth grade teachers at Parsley Elementary School in Wilmington. I have enjoyed living in North Carolina as I was originally from Maryland. I have two boys, both who are enjoying the beach and sun as much as I am. I was drawn to the teaching profession because I enjoy working with children. I view teaching as a constant challenge that is seldom, if ever, boring. The realization that a teacher can introduce children to a new world of information and open up new possibilities daily was motivation in itself for me to select teaching as a profession. I love to teach... No two days in the classroom are ever the same, and that is one of the most exciting things about it. It is a job with its ups and downs, but its rewards are endless. Every day, I continue to travel the road and collect pebbles and place them in my student's bags in hopes that one day, if not now, they will become diamonds. What I try to do every day in my class is to be a good listener, to guide instruction rather than lecture, and be willing to use varied methodologies to foster learning. I also strongly believe in establishing and maintaining good communication with the parents. This can foster a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom and can only enhance instruction. Teaching to me is not a nine to five occupation. It is a privilege and a tremendous responsibility. I believe in placing my students first during the school year and have a very supportive family who accepts the fact that my teaching takes priority. I know that I do not know everything there is to know about teaching. I am a life-long learner and want my students to become the same as well. I do set high standards in my classroom and will not accept minimal effort from anyone including myself. If I am to expect a one hundred percent effort from my students, then it is also fair to say that my students can expect the same from their teacher. I really try to make teaching an enjoyable, interesting and personally rewarding experience for my students while at the same time trying to have fun with what we are doing.