About Me

My name is Shelby Simmons, and I am originally from Florida. I lived in Tampa from Pre-School until the end of my freshman year of high school. I went to Carrollwood Elementary from kindergarten to third grade, a public school in North Tampa. In fourth grade, my parents enrolled me in St. Lawrence Catholic School. I did not like the transition at all, leaving all of my friends and a school that I loved. It was a challenge both socially and academically, especially since the same students stayed together from Pre-school to eighth grade. I didn’t really ever love the school, but I did like some of my classes. My social studies teacher inspired me to be a middle school social studies teacher. After St. Lawrence, I went to Sickles High School, a public high school. I loved Sickles, but did not find it challenging academically. In July, my parents moved my family cross-country to San Diego. I finished my last three years of high school at Torrey Pines High School. I did find it much more challenging than my time at Sickles, taking most Advanced Placement or Honors classes. After I graduated from high school, I went to Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. I double majored in Political Science and Communications. School was challenging, but I loved my school. Extracurricular helped pass the time and made for a great but too fast four years.

I would say that I am rather tech savvy, but I am always amazed at what I don’t know. I have taken a few computer classes during school, but I am more or less self-taught with the occasional “Apple Genius Bar” help. I have had a few computers over the years, but I am most comfortable, now with my Mac. There is so much more to learn, so I enjoy finding out more. As technology becomes more readily available, younger kids know how to work all of the “smart” devices. My nephew  can work an iPhone and an iPad so well that he has at times taught me things. I do like the computer revolution. I am always connected, if I want to be.                                                                            

                                                                                

                            

I did find the vision of the School of Education to be part of the reason I am getting my credentials at CSU San Marcos. After attending schools in three different states, I have seen the need for teachers who are there for the students, but work as a team. My middle school years did not reflect practices demonstrated by San Marcos graduates. I would have benefited much more from teachers that shared similar visions, keeping in mind the need for diversity in the classroom. There are several aspects within the mission statement for the School of Education that was important to me as I began my time earning my teaching credentials. The last sentence in the mission statement: “Our practices demonstrate a commitment to student-centered education, diversity, collaboration, professionalism, and shared governance” is important as a teacher candidate. I want to give my students the best chance at success as they enter the real world. I feel that SOE will give me the tools necessary to be an effective educator.