Hi there! My name is Lauren Cunningham and I am currently a 1st grade teacher in Granville County Public Schools. I graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the college that I was born and raise cheering on, East Carolina University. I am finishing my 7th year of teaching. I have always been a 1st grade teacher, with the exception of one year being a 1st and 2nd grade combination teacher. I may be bias but 1st grade has my heart. I love how eager students are to learn and am always so proud to see how much they grow throughout the year both physically, emotionally, and academically. As a teacher, I have found that my passion not only lies in teaching academics and watching students go from not being able to read to reading books independently and using strategies that they've learned; but, my passion can also be found in providing my students with emotional support and life skills that they will need through a positive classroom environment. Many of the students I serve come to my classroom in August not know how to cope with their emotions, communicate their needs and thoughts, or perform simple life skills. It is my hope and my vision for students to leave my classroom in June with the ability to do all of these things as well as grow in their academics and their confidence.
I am a teacher who loves organization, routine, and finds comfort in "having a plan." However, as a person who is always trying to improve and learn, I decided to begin this adventure and apply for the New Literacies & Global Learning program through North Carolina State University's College of Education as my 5th year of teaching was coming to a close. This program has given me a stronger understanding of literacy, the pieces that work together, how to intervene, and how to immerse students in a literacy environment that will impact them the most. I feel that this program has impacted my teaching and the students I serve in a way that I could not have imagined. I'm so glad you found my website that showcases the creative synthesis that I developed during my two years as a Master's student. Although COVID-19 has forced our graduation to look somewhat different, I will still be "graduating" in May 2020. |