NAME:
Karen M. Maher
SCHOOL:
Overlook Primary School
CLASS:
Kindergarten
SCHOOL PHONE:
(485)486-4970
Hello! My Name is Karen Maher, and I live in Poughkeepsie, NY. My husband's
name is Jim, and we have three children named Melissa, Katelyn, and Jimmy. I
am originally from Silver Spring, Maryland. I received a Bachelor's of
Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland.
I also have a Master's Degree in Elementary Education with an annotation in
Early Childhood Education from SUNY New Paltz. In December of 2006, I
attained certification in Early Childhood Education from the National Board
for Professional Teaching Standards. Currently, I am working on my
PhD in Reading at SUNY Albany on a part time basis in the evenings. I am
VERY excited about this endeavor, as I'm sure I'll bring LOTS of innovative
and interesting ideas back to the classroom! I'm a firm believer that
learning is a lifelong process!
I started my teaching career as a full day kindergarten teacher in Houston,
Texas. From there, I moved back to Maryland and taught in a morning and
afternoon kindergarten program in Prince George's County, Maryland. After
getting married, my husband and I headed to Massachusetts where I became the
head teacher in a four year old preschool. Eventually, our path led us back
to my husband's homestate - New York! After taking some time off to be
a "stay at home mom", I eased myself back into the work force as the
director of a local nursery school for several years before stepping back
into teaching here at Overlook in 1999.
This will be my tenth year of teaching kindergarten at Overlook, and I love
it! I am thrilled to be a part of your child's school experience and look
forward to learning just as much from your child as I hope s/he
gleams from me!
I believe that kindergarten is a time for children to develop or deepen an
already existing love of learning. Children are naturally curious, so we'll
expand on that curiosity as much as possible. Socialization - the ability to
get along with others - is a very important part of our day. Being an active
part in our classroom community will be a year long goal as well. We will
learn how to work by ourselves, with a fellow classmate, with a team, and
with the whole class. We will be exposed to academics as well as being
challenged creatively. Hands-on art projects are frequent! As we begin the
important first steps in our school journeys, we will be encouraged
to become life long learners and risk takers in a positive sense. Above all -
we will have lots of fun!