Email: sclapham@santanlc.com
Site: www.santanlearningcenter.com/sclapham
Hello! My name is Sue Clapham, and I am the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade gifted teacher at San Tan Learning Center.
I am originally from the East Coast. I grew up in New York / New Jersey, and went to college in Boston, MA. I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design, then moved to Florida where I worked as a project manager for a design firm in Miami. I moved to Arizona four years later and worked as a project manager for a design firm in Phoenix. After marrying and having children, I made a career change to teaching. I received my Masters degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in December 2009. I have a full SEI (Structured English Immersion) Endorsement and a Provisional Gifted Endorsement, and am currently working toward obtaining my full gifted endorsement.
I entered San Tan Learning Center in 2010 with over eight years of teaching experience (kindergarten, 2nd, 4th & 5th grade), augmented by eight years of project management experience. My teaching experience has equipped me with the skills necessary to create a classroom environment that allows a diverse population of students with a wide range of abilities and backgrounds to thrive. My project management experience has proven invaluable not only in the way it complements my extensive classroom experience, but also with the organization and execution of cluster grouping in the classroom.
My philosophy as a teacher is that children thrive when they are in a safe, nurturing, and consistent environment that allows them to explore and learn at their own pace. I motivate my children through positive reinforcement, and have high expectations of each student. Lesson objectives are clear and well-defined in order to help each student succeed in class. Parents play an important role in their children’s education and I welcome your involvement in class activities. I encourage you to volunteer in the classroom and work on projects with our class.