Well, here we are at the beginning of another school year!  I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year, sharing learning experiences and growing as an extended family.  I really do treasure my time with each student.  I want you to know you have a partner in ensuring that your child receives a quality education and the love and support all children need and deserve.

I know how important it is that you can trust and count on your child’s teacher/caregiver because I am a mother myself.  Through my past experiences and those as a mother, I understand there will be everything from moments of elation to times of discouragement along the way.  I also realize that consistency and caring will carry children far and help them to become more independent and successful in life.

I’ve learned many life lessons from my experience working with children of all ages and through my education.  In the past, I worked with children from birth to school age “in the trenches” of daycare and preschool.  I also have many years of experience teaching and volunteering in Children's Ministry at church.  I graduated from Columbia College with a major in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Art.  Through the years, I have taken many graduate level classes and participated in numerous professional development opportunities, including Read to Succeed classes over the summer.  I am now in my twenty-fourth year of teaching second grade and loving it!  (This is my twenty-first year at Lake Murray Elementary!)  Wow!  Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! 

I will keep you informed this year through emails, notes home, phone calls, and your child’s Take Home Folder.  Please feel free to contact me anytime during the school year with questions/concerns.  My email address is koneal@lexrich5.org.

I look forward to getting to know you and your child better!  Let’s work as a team and together we can make this a great year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Katherine O’Neal-North