Special Education/Reading Interventionist
Darcy Simmons
Reading Interventionist and Sp. Ed. Teacher
Contact Information:
354-2312
Tell us about yourself:
I grew up in Northern New York State as the youngest of a large family. I earned a Bachelor’s in Education and a Masters in Affective Education at the State University of New York at Oswego. I taught pre-school and directed the Craig Child Care Center in Alaska for a couple of years. Then I moved to beautiful Midcoast Maine in 1994. I substituted in the area schools for the first couple of years. I did a long-term subbing position at St. George from December 1994 to June 1995. In 1995-96 I taught Phys. Ed. at Cushing Community School, substituted, and did the After School Program at Lura Libby School. From the fall of 1996- June of 2002, I taught in the resource room for middle level students at the St. George School. I moved to the Thomaston Grammar School in 2002-2003 to teach 7 and 8th grade resource room and the VISTAs class. In 2003-2004 I worked part time at TGS with 5th and 6th graders and part time at CCS with 1-4th graders. The next couple of years were spent in the 5th and 6th grade resource room at TGS. I have been working full time at CCS since 2006.
I currently (11/09) have an eighteen year old daughter, a 15 year old yellow lab, and a 3 year old black lab.
Tell us why you like to teach your special area:
I like to teach in my specialty area because I am able to help children learn to read. I know that reading is a very important skill that is needed throughout life in today’s society. I enjoy finding ways to help kids learn and see their excitement as they do grow and learn. I am very fortunate to work with all grade levels at CCS.
What are your homework guidelines?
Students are expected to read at least 15 minutes a night ideally from books that are sent home at their level. It is expected that this information be recorded on a daily log that either the classroom teacher provides. I would like my students to read over the weekend, too. Children are also offered reinforcing homework that they can do. When students do their homework, they have a chart that a smiley face goes on and when they complete 25 assignments they get to choose a prize (can be achieved in a month’s time). When they have done all their homework, they put a check up on the class chart for that day, and if they do all their homework each night (including once during the weekend) they are given a reward (a sticker or jolly rancher of their choice.)
Information:
Maine Parent Federation
Learning Disabilities
Maine Family Literacy Initiative
http://www.maine.gov/education/aded/dev/mefli/mefli2005.htm
Reading Rockets
Kid Use:
Star Fall
Math Facts