Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Hello Friends!
Tomorrow is Back-to-School night! I kindly ask that you stop by my room first (6:15pm) so that you can take a look around and get acquainted with our learning space. I will be giving a very brief intro talk/slide show going over my personal teaching philosophies and information that will help support both you and your student in this monumental transition phase that is, the 6th grade! Directly preceding, we will head over to Mr. Robbin’s room to finish the evening.
DRIVERS NEEDED!
Our class has our first field trip on the book on October 20th, 2026 to Luther Burbank Center to see the Sewam Dancer’s along with Miss Anna’s class. The performance starts at 9:30am and will run approximately
1 hour. We will need seats in cars for 14 students that day. Please let me know if you are interested in Driving that day. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate free entry for driver/parent chaperones.
If you would like to watch the performance, we can purchase tickets for you at $12.00/each.
Drivers must be pre approved by Rebecca/Emma and have all the necessary requirements. These requirements will be discussed in detail tomorrow evening at back to school night.
Looking Forward to seeing all of you!
With Care,
Miss Rachel
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Welcome Incoming Middle School Families!
WOW! I can’t believe summer is coming to an end and TOMORROW we will be back in the swing of things here on campus! I am so thrilled to be embarking on this new and exciting journey with your students! In collaboration with Mr. Robbins, I have been working to create a schedule and curriculum that emulates a true middle school environment, complete with homeroom, shared academic blocks, PE, recess/lunches and of course, music! We have some amazing projects and field trips planned this year; stay tuned for more detailed information in the weeks and months to come.
Email is my preferred method of communication. I generally check it once a day during the school week and will respond within 24 hours, weekends being the exception. If you have a pressing concern that needs immediate attention during the week, please email or call Emma at the front desk. I am also happy to meet in person when time allows, but please refrain from coming into class before and after school without making prior arrangements.
SUPPLIES AND READINESS: Please make sure your student comes to school with one large (3-4”), three ring binder with at least 5 dividers and one small (1-2”) 3 ring binder. Middle school is certainly a milestone and with that comes added responsibility. We would love for your students to come prepared with their own pencils, erasers and highlighters. That said, I will always have some on hand, but the goal is to practice being responsible for their personal items. Lined paper and note books will be provided.
CLASS JOBS: For those who are able and willing, I would love to delegate a few class jobs such as filing the classroom water bottle, laundering hand towels. Please let me know if you are interested in helping out for one or more trimesters! Also, If you have any special skill sets that might be beneficial to our classroom community that you would be willing to share with us, please let me know that as well.
A FEW REMINDERS…
DRESS CODE: Please send your students to school in clothing and shoes that are functional, weather ready, and socially appropriate for school. Students should be comfortable running, jumping, doing yoga, getting dirty, gardening, playing sports, etc. without having to worry.
FOOD: Please make sure students come with a full water bottle and enough food for 1-2 snacks and a lunch. Healthy, low-sugar, protein rich foods are encouraged. Please defer to the VCS handbook for more details. Due to the high number of food allergies and dietary restrictions, I will be enforcing our “no food sharing ” policy. I also encourage students to eat a substantial breakfast (it really is the most important meal of the day) BEFORE arriving to class so that their brains are fully supported and ready to engage.
CELL PHONES AND SMART WATCHES: Are strictly prohibited for students on campus and will be confiscated if found, and held in the office for a trusted adult/parent/caregiver to pick up. Please contact the front desk if you need to immediately get in touch with your student.
FINALLY: If there is another person or alternate email that you would like me to add to this list, please reply to this message with that information. Thank you for reading! I am looking forward to a fantastic school year!
Warmly,
Miss Rachel
About Miss Rachel
I believe the classroom should be a place where curiosity leads the way and students feel connected to themselves, their communities, and the wider world. As a middle grades teacher, I love designing learning experiences that cross subject areas—blending literacy, social studies, science, and the arts—through themes like local history, environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and music. Whether we’re interviewing community members, learning outdoors, or preparing for a student-led exhibition, I want learning to feel real, meaningful, and rooted in experience.
Building relationships is at the heart of my teaching. I focus on creating a supportive, inclusive classroom where every student feels seen and heard. Social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and reflection are woven into our week, helping students grow not just as learners, but as compassionate members of a community.
I graduated with honors and distinction from SSU in 2023 with a B.A. in Early Childhood Studies, double concentrated in Development and Education, and recently completed my Preliminary Teaching Credential at North Coast School of Education. Though my certifications are new, I bring over eight years of experience teaching music and working with children. My own love of music sparked my passion for teaching, and eventually led me to Village, where I feel so grateful to be part of this vibrant community.
Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with family and friends, playing music, hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, and tending to my tiny urban homestead—complete with two dogs, eight hens, a garden, and fruit trees.
