About Mrs. Nations...
Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!
My name is Susan Nations and I have been working in education for 25 years. During that time I have taught all elementary grades from Kindergarten through Fourth. Most recently, I have been a Reading Specialist/Intervention Teacher and a Literacy/Data Coach here in Sarasota County. I am excited to once again return to Kindergarten and early childhood education here at Southside!
I LOVE teaching and learning! I hold a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and am currently back in school for another Master's degree in Educational Leadership. I was honored to be selected as Sarasota County Teacher of the Year for 2005. In that same year, I received my National Board Certification in Literacy.
In addition to working in the school system, I have had the pleasure of traveling to schools in Florida and around the United States training teachers in reading and language arts best practices. This work, along with my work in school, led me to co-author and publish four books for teachers: Primary Literacy Centers, More Primary Literacy Centers, So Much Stuff, So Little Space, and Intermediate Literacy Stations. My fifth book, Read, Chant, Learn: 60 Literacy-Building Chants for the K-1 Day is due out this Fall.
I grew up and went to school in Tampa, Florida. My husband, Don, and I have lived in Sarasota (where he was raised) for the past 12 years. We live here with our five children. My oldest son is a medic in the Army and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee. My second son attends the University of Central Florida and is majoring in Exercise Science. He is teaching me to be a runner! My third son is a senior at Riverview High School this year. He is a pilot and has soloed in both gliders and powered airplanes. My fourth son is in seventh grade at Sarasota Middle School and LOVES to fish! My daughter is starting fourth grade here at school with me. Can you imagine being the only girl with all those brothers? She loves it!
When I am not teaching, I love to visit with friends, go to the beach, travel, read books, go to the movies, and scrapbook. I also am learning to run for exercise. I ran my first 5K back in May and a second on July 4th. I am working toward a half marathon for February!
MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT MRS. NATIONS:
* When I was in Kindergarten, I got to be on the television show Romper Room--which was a children's television show filmed in St. Petersburg, Florida.
* My Kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Edwards. I still remember her teaching us songs like "The Farmer in the Dell" and "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch"!
* As a child, I loved being on stage in our community theater! I was Gretel in Sound of Music and also had roles in South Pacific, The Music Man and several smaller plays.
* I have always loved music and dancing! I took dance all during elementary and then participated in the Show Choir and the marching band in my high school.
* I have 2 younger brothers.
* I love to go on cruises! My favorite cruise was in Alaska!
* I've been to 31 of the 50 states and would LOVE to travel to all of them someday.
* When I was in first grade, I won an award for reading the most books by Dr. Seuss.
He is still one of my favorite authors!
* We have two cats, Nola and Ace. Here are their pictures:
My name is Susan Nations and I have been working in education for 25 years. During that time I have taught all elementary grades from Kindergarten through Fourth. Most recently, I have been a Reading Specialist/Intervention Teacher and a Literacy/Data Coach here in Sarasota County. I am excited to once again return to Kindergarten and early childhood education here at Southside!
I LOVE teaching and learning! I hold a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and am currently back in school for another Master's degree in Educational Leadership. I was honored to be selected as Sarasota County Teacher of the Year for 2005. In that same year, I received my National Board Certification in Literacy.
In addition to working in the school system, I have had the pleasure of traveling to schools in Florida and around the United States training teachers in reading and language arts best practices. This work, along with my work in school, led me to co-author and publish four books for teachers: Primary Literacy Centers, More Primary Literacy Centers, So Much Stuff, So Little Space, and Intermediate Literacy Stations. My fifth book, Read, Chant, Learn: 60 Literacy-Building Chants for the K-1 Day is due out this Fall.
I grew up and went to school in Tampa, Florida. My husband, Don, and I have lived in Sarasota (where he was raised) for the past 12 years. We live here with our five children. My oldest son is a medic in the Army and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee. My second son attends the University of Central Florida and is majoring in Exercise Science. He is teaching me to be a runner! My third son is a senior at Riverview High School this year. He is a pilot and has soloed in both gliders and powered airplanes. My fourth son is in seventh grade at Sarasota Middle School and LOVES to fish! My daughter is starting fourth grade here at school with me. Can you imagine being the only girl with all those brothers? She loves it!
When I am not teaching, I love to visit with friends, go to the beach, travel, read books, go to the movies, and scrapbook. I also am learning to run for exercise. I ran my first 5K back in May and a second on July 4th. I am working toward a half marathon for February!
MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT MRS. NATIONS:
* When I was in Kindergarten, I got to be on the television show Romper Room--which was a children's television show filmed in St. Petersburg, Florida.
* My Kindergarten teacher's name was Mrs. Edwards. I still remember her teaching us songs like "The Farmer in the Dell" and "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch"!
* As a child, I loved being on stage in our community theater! I was Gretel in Sound of Music and also had roles in South Pacific, The Music Man and several smaller plays.
* I have always loved music and dancing! I took dance all during elementary and then participated in the Show Choir and the marching band in my high school.
* I have 2 younger brothers.
* I love to go on cruises! My favorite cruise was in Alaska!
* I've been to 31 of the 50 states and would LOVE to travel to all of them someday.
* When I was in first grade, I won an award for reading the most books by Dr. Seuss.
He is still one of my favorite authors!
* We have two cats, Nola and Ace. Here are their pictures: