About Me

To the viewers of this blog, my name is Hannah Knapp. I am currently in my fifth year at Grand Valley State University, and teacher assisting at West Godwin Elementary, in a first grade classroom. If you hadn't guessed by me teaching first graders, I am an elementary education major, with an emphasis in math. I am originally from Rochester, which is on the east side of the state, however when I graduate I plan on leaving Michigan and heading south. I also got back from a semester abroad in London in May, and had the time of my life. While "studying" there I traveled to Ireland, Scotland, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Bamberg (Germany), Munich and many different locations throughout Southern UK. Outside of the classroom I also love to do anything that involves being active. I recently have picked up running and have ran three half marathons, however I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years, two in which included the varsity swim team here at Grand Valley. I was also a member of Phi Mu fraternity, which last year helped raised over 30,000 dollars for Children's Miracle Network Hospital.
Throughout my childhood, technology became more and more apparent in the classroom. I remember having some computers in elementary school, and when I got to high school we had to go to the library to use the computer. Also, in high school my teachers started to receive smart boards, however would mostly use white boards and handouts for instruction and activities. While teacher assisting I have noticed that most, if not all, classrooms have smart boards and use them efficiently. My teacher has many videos and tasks that the students use the smart board for throughout a good portion of their day. In my future classroom, I would love to use a smart board if one is given to me at my school. I think the use of videos to help students learn is great. The videos that my CT uses include dancing and singing, therefore my students sing along and learn in a more engaging way. I also love the idea of having a classroom website. My CT and all the other first grade teachers at West Godwin have a weebly that the students, parents and all the teachers can log onto to view information about the teachers, lessons, and view videos for learning. Finally, my CT uses a site called "plan book" which I fully intend on using when I become a teacher. This site helps you plan out your entire year and move things around with ease if need be. Then I can either print it out and move things on paper throughout the day, or I can use my computer and move things while the students are working. This way I know exactly what needs to be done throughout my day.
I hope you have learned something about me, and I would love to answer any questions if you have them! Thank you :)

Here is a (really blurry and I don't know why) video of me about to go on a run!