About Mrs. Atkinson

This is my second time teaching first grade, my 17th year at Westbrook, and my 19th year teaching in the county. It seems like yesterday when I first started my teaching career. The Westbrook community is a special place to be, and I am grateful for all the relationships I have made with many families.

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I grew up in Prince Georges County and attended to the University of Maryland to get my first degree in Fashion Merchandising and Textile Marketing and my second in Elementary Education. I have been married 30 years to my husband Jess and have 3 children Joseph, Tony, and Jessica. They all attended Wood Acres here in Bethesda and graduated from Walt Whitman High School and St. John College High School. After high school, they all went on to graduate from Pratt Institute, Colby College, and University of Wisconsin. Presently, they are scattered over the country making their way in the world

 

I believe that teaching should focus on the whole child. Not only is it important to teach the foundations of all academic areas, but also teach social emotional learning. Students need to be happy and secure before everything else can happen. I have high expectations and believe all children can learn and succeed.

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I look forward to teaching first grade and reconnecting with previous students and getting to know new ones.