Email: annie.knepper@dvusd.org

I graduated with a BA in Education from Loras College in Dubuque, IA.  I hold an Arizona teaching license in Elementary Education with both Reading and Early Childhood Endorsements.  I have taught preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and third grade.  This is my tenth year at Sierra Verde and I am so proud to be a Viper! 

 

Hello everyone!  My name is Annie Knepper and I am excited to be part of Sierra Verde’s first grade team!  I am originally from rural Iowa and grew up on a dairy farm.  I moved here about 10 years ago and love being an Arizonan! I have a two year old son who keeps me on my toes.  His current favorites are dinosaurs, cars, and reading books together with Mama.

I have my BA in Elementary Education and both my Reading and Early Childhood Endorsements.  I have taught first grade, kindergarten, and preschool, and third grade.  I love teaching first grade where I get to guide young people as they flourish as readers, writers, mathematicians, and critical thinkers.  As a teacher, I believe it is my privilege to help students learn to love learning through exploration and asking questions.  I’m looking forward helping my Sierra Verde students become life-long learners!

Please contact me at any time with questions.  I believe parents and family members are the most important teachers in a child's life and I am excited to partner with you this year.

My Favorites

Colors: Purple and Blue

Restaurants: Starbucks, Panera

Drinks: Chai Tea or Hot Chocolate

Favorite Treats: Popcorn, Chocolate, Pepsi

Shopping Stops: Target, Amazon, Michael's

Hobbies: Yoga, Reading, Crafting

 

Our Specials Schedule

Day 1: PE

Day 2: Art

Day 3: Music

Day 4: PE

Day 5: STEM

Day 6: Band

 

Please have your child wear appropriate clothing and tennis shoes on the days we have P.E.

 

Where you do you do your best work?  Is it at a desk with a straight chair?  A comfortable couch where you can put your feet up?  Do you need your own space or do you work well with people working around you?  A person's individual learning style is something I thought a lot about when creating my classroom space.  I also thought about how my students and I spend more waking hours at school than home in many cases.  The classroom environment should be a place of respect, learning, fun, and a home away from home.

I took the leap years ago and removed nearly all of my desks and regular chairs from my classroom.  In their place there are tables of different heights, wobble stools, bean bag chairs, scoop rockers, cushions, a couch, and many other options.  This way each student can work in an environment that works for them, while understanding that flexible seating is a privilege with responsibilities.  My students have loved it and felt they could learn individually and collaboratively.  I have also had parents notice how the students feel a sense of pride and community within our classroom due to flexible seating. 

I researched flexible seating and how it would work best with my teaching style.  Here is a link to one of the websites I used to help me think through how I wanted flexible seating to improve the learning environment in my classroom: https://thekindergartensmorgasboard.com/2018/09/flexible-seating-research.html