NAME:
Mrs. Joy Chien
SCHOOL:
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
CLASS:
Kindergarten
SCHOOL PHONE:
703-221-3868
Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Joy Chien. I was born and
raised in New Jersey at the “shore.” My family moved to Northern Virginia
where I spent my formative years. I am a graduate of Paul VI High School,
Fairfax, VA and Mary Baldwin College Staunton, VA. I received my BA in
English and certification in Elementary Education (PK-4) with a minor in
music. I have additional hours in the Master of Education, Reading Education
program from University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional
Studies as well as numerous continuing Ed. and staff/professional development
hours through the Diocese of both St. Augustine, FL and Arlington, VA.
After graduating from MBC I chose to substitute teach for the Fairfax County
Public School system which afforded me the opportunity to work with children
in Kindergarten through high school and special education. It was during
this time that I met and married my husband who was beginning his naval
career. Sixteen years later, two wonderful children richer, Katherine (15.5)
and Cortland (13.5), many moves and deployments later, I have a supreme
appreciation for the importance of humor and laughter in my life. Humor and
the importance of laughter cannot be underestimated, especially at myself!
While my children were young, I was able to be a stay-at-home mom and loved
every minute of being with them. When both children entered school I was
offered a position teaching pre-Kindergarten at their school. I have enjoyed
being close to them and available, if needed.
I have been 'playing' in Kindergarten for the past six years, first at St.
Paul’s in Jax Beach, FL for two years and now at St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic School in Triangle, VA for the past four years. On a typical day,
you may find me with my students swinging on the on the swings (or giving a
push!), testing out theories on what objects sink or float or composting
leftovers from lunch for our class garden. I am thrilled to have this
opportunity to provide five and six year olds with their first taste of
formal education in a Catholic school. As I prepare each child for first
grade, with life-long lessons and skills, I know in my heart that there could
be no better job than this!
When I’m not teaching, I enjoy travelling, most recently to Puerto Rico,
reading, keeping active, and spending time with my friends, family and a
myriad of baseball, basketball and cheerleading events with my children.
Kindergarten is a year of emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social
growth and development. Students begin to accept responsibility and
accountability for their actions and choices. A bridge from free exploration
to a more guided exploration and hands on learning experience is constructed.
Kindergarteners use prior knowledge of phonemic awareness skills in order to
progress into basic phonics skills. These phonics skills enable the learners
to build a basic foundation for becoming proficient, independent readers and
writers. Through observation, inquiry, and questioning kindergarteners will
begin to develop higher order thinking skills crucial to their future
academic growth.
While the curriculum is academicly based, it is full of adventure, excitement
and educational fun!