Natalie Armstrong

State:

Missouri

Testimonial from a participant:

“Your energy and enthusiasm for this course is what makes the difference between a good class and a bad one! I will take lots with me!” -- TC

PLS Courses I Teach:

• Coming Soon!

Year started with PLS:

2002

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

I love teaching PLS courses because it not only allows me to help others become better teachers, but it makes me a better teacher too. I also love the material! It is so usable and “teacher friendly”.

Education:

• Southwest Missouri State University—Bachelor of Science in Education
• University of Missouri St. Louis—Master’s in Education

Teaching Experience:

• 15 years in the public schools; 4th (1), 5th(1), and 6th (13)

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:

I have been a member and presenter at the International Reading Conferences in Missouri

What I love most about teaching:

My loves of teaching have changed over the years. In the beginning of my career, I liked what I did the most because of my summers off and teaching the subjects that I liked as a student myself. Now as I have grown older and have become a mother, I realize that what I do is very important! I am so lucky to be able to share with kids every year the loves of reading, writing, and creating. I love to see their faces when they have succeeded or have finished a really long, hard book. I do what I do to touch lives and make a difference. Even if only one student takes something from my class, then I have made a difference in that child’s life. That is why I love to teach; that is why I put my blood, sweat, and tears into my job every year.

My favorite moment in teaching:

After teaching in a school for 9 years, I decided to make a change and move to a new school. I was still young in my career and did not have as many successes as I have now. It was a big ordeal to all of my former students. They made me cards and I have cherished every one. The one I cherish the most was from a student who was gifted and sometimes a challenge. I never felt like I did enough for her and we would go round and round on a regular basis. She wrote me a three page letter thanking me for all of the things she had learned in 6th grade. What I read was not the usual fun and games stuff but the stuff that matters the most. She thanked me for teaching her about flexibility and laughter. She thanked me for being honest with her and for reminding her that being first is not always important. She also thanked me for keeping a firm hand on her so that she would learn self-discipline and responsibility. That is why I get up everyday and do the job that I do!

Personal information:

I am an avid scrapbooker and reader. I have two boys and a husband who aspires to be a professional fisherman. I love to travel and spend time cheering on my boys (husband included) in their sports.