NAME:
Ms. Linda L. Branch, M.Ed. (ABD)
SCHOOL:
Seylar Elementary School, Reading Room, #30
CLASS:
Supportive Reading Services for students in Grades 1 - 5 with primary focus in grades 1 - 3.
SCHOOL PHONE:
215-257-6272, ext. 2901 OR (voice mail only)215-257-6299, ext. 2901
Professionally...I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Early Childhood
Education at Clarion University in December of 1988. I taught for almost 7 years in the School
District of Philadelphia as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher. In May of 1997, I received my
Master of Education degree at Beaver College (now known as Arcadia University) in Elementary
Education, along with my Reading Specialist certification.
Since the fall of 1997, I have been here at Seylar Elementary School as the building's reading
specialist...I dearly love my job! I am also a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania,
pursuing a Literacy in Education degree. I am currently in the dissertation "stage"- my work is
centered around "Emergent Literacy: Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Practice in Childcare Center Settings"
and if/when I find more hours in the day to read/write for this endeavor, ONE day it will be
completed!! (Then I can start
pursuing my other "bucket goal"- learning to: speak Spanish, play the piano, play tennis, ride a
motorcycle and a stick-shift car...!!!)
Personally...(in addition to my "bucket list") I have an 18 year old son, Bobby, who left for Parris
Island (Marines- boot camp) on October 19, 2009; I will not see or speak to him until mid-January! I
also have a 14 year old son, Christopher, who is a freshman in High School and plays football in the
fall. My supportive and understanding "partner" is Carlos, who also has two beautiful daughters of
his own, who I am fortunate to know and spend time with- Beckie, 20, a junior at Kutztown
University (and fellow Zeta Tau Alpha "sister" of mine!) and Angelina, a bubbly 12 year old 7th Grader
who is active in cheerleading.
As far as other "members of our family," (see pix!)We have two dogs, Shadow and Sparky, and two
cats, Molly and Hershey (who just had five kittens of her own- whoops- if anyone is interested-
contact me via e-mail!!!)
Number One: To foster and develop a LOVE of reading!
It's my hope, that through supplemental instruction and activities, my
students will develop a strong self-identity as a capable reader and
writer, and that they will continue to flourish as lifelong learners who
make both reading and writing an important part of their lives always.
In order to make that happen, I firmly believe in delivering a comprehensive program of instruction that
is balanced, meaningful, and actively engages my students- whether it is within my "Reading Support"
classroom, or through co-teaching opportunities with the classroom teacher.