FACULTY LOUNGE citron sings ms. teresa beilman's praises

Music teacher Ms. Teresa Beilman has been working with young children since 2006 and will complete her first year as Citron campus music teacher at the end of this school year.  She loves being able to combine her passion for teaching young people and her passion for creating, experiencing and leading music. "I wake up every morning knowing I have the joy of teaching children using music and movement," she says.  One of the highlights of her year was working on the spring musical.  In her free time, Teresa enjoys reading, crocheting, jewelry making, singing, and camping.  She is also an active community volunteer, donating her time at UCI Medical Center and at local prisons.

Contributed by Elly, Citron campus

FACULTY LOUNGE anaheim hills' stephanie conklin loves the fairmont adventure

Anaheim Hills’ science teacher extraordinaire Ms. Stephanie Conklin discovered a love of teaching while she was attending UC Davis interning at an inner city school as a 7th grade science teacher.  She transferred to Cal State Fullerton where she earned her Biology degree in 2006.  Shortly after graduating, she joined Fairmont’s team as a guest teacher and extended day staff member.  Channeling her passion for science and education, she now teaches 6th grade earth science, the Animal Behavior elective, and elementary science lab (1st-5th grade).  Additionally, she serves as head pentathlon coach for 6th grade, DSL soccer coach, science curriculum coordinator for Anaheim Hills, and the new elementary science curriculum coordinator for all of Fairmont.

When we asked Stephanie what she liked most about teaching at Fairmont, here’s what she had to say:

“I love that the students challenge me to learn new concepts in science and explore areas I might not have otherwise. Working with 500+ students, each with his/her own ideas and interests leads me to amazing discussions on extremely varied topics. I love seeing the excitement on the students’ faces when they are completely engaged in the scientific process and their curiosity takes on a life of its own. 

I also have the opportunity to join the students on several amazing fieldtrips throughout the year. In October, I accompanied the 6th graders up to the San Bernardino Mountains for five days of hiking and learning in the great outdoors. Students learn about the many ecosystems here in California while enjoying team building and leadership activities. In March, I had the pleasure of journeying to Catalina Island with the fifth graders to enjoy snorkeling and kayaking while learning about California costal ecosystems. 

In April, the sixth graders and I went to the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant to get a firsthand account of how our facilities have prepared to keep us safe in the event of a disaster such as the one experienced this spring in Japan. During our visit, the students’ level of questions and knowledge prompted the tour guide to bring in several experts. As we left, one senior engineer commented, “I’ll be keeping your names and numbers since I will be looking forward to hiring many of you when you are old enough!” I could not have been more proud of my students for their enthusiasm, manners, and level of engagement. 

Most recently, I attending the 7th grade trip to the Grand Canyon where we enjoyed hiking, biking, rafting, rock climbing, star gazing, and so many amazing experiences! There is no end to the list of awesome opportunities I have had here at Fairmont! I cannot wait to see what adventure I will have next!”

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills campus

FACULTY LOUNGE mable spotlights junior high history teacher

Seventh and 8th grade World and US History teacher Alena Pettit started her career with Fairmont at the Prep Academy where she taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade history for 5 years.  She’s been with Mable Junior High for the past two years where, in addition to teaching history, she also serves as Yearbook Advisor and Pentathlon coach for 7th and 8th grade.  Ms. Pettit earned her degree and California credential in Social Science from Cal State Long Beach.  When she’s not preparing lesson plans, working on yearbook layouts or quizzing her pentathlon team members, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and watching movies. Her favorite part of teaching at Fairmont is getting a chance to bond with her students.  “I love the interaction with the kids.  Working at Fairmont allows teachers to have a personal connection to both the students and parents.  Many of the teachers at Fairmont have created and maintained a lasting relationship with our students.  I really enjoy it when my old students come back to visit,” she says.

Contributed by Karen, Mable campus

FACULTY LOUNGE edgewood features dynamic duo from first grade

My name is Cynthia Fraser and I have been teaching at the Primary Level on the Edgewood Campus since 1986. I have my California LIFE Credential(K-8), CBEST Certificate, and CLAD 1 and CLAD 2 training.  During my years on this campus, I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, combinations of Kindergarten and First, and, finally, Second Grade. Each year I try to tweak the curriculum to fit the needs of the students, while bringing in new ideas to update my teaching. These past two years have been marked by a rapid acceleration of bringing new technology into the classroom! My current First Graders and I are  Promethean Partners as we actively learn new skills on our board.

A few years ago I assumed the responsibilities of Fairmont’s Master Teacher at the elementary level. One of the requirements of this position is that I maintain part-time responsibilities in the regular classroom. For this reason, I share a contract with Ms. Montague while dividing my time in and out of the classroom. “Job-sharing” is truly more than a 50-50 share. I have been very fortunate to work with both Ms. Montague and Mrs. Brown during these years.   My duties outside of the classroom lead me to the other Fairmont campuses where I look forward to continue using my experience and knowledge to the fullest.  

Additionally, I am the Language Arts Coordinator for the elementary grades and a member of the Tiger Team. In both capacities, I work with other coordinators and team members to explore and implement new ideas. For the past and current WASC Accreditations, I have been on the Leadership Team. I am very proud of our documentation for the WASC committee.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, movies, and sewing. With my new NookColor I find myself browsing and adding to my future reading more often than not!  Revisiting Europe is definitely on my wish list, with my taste of Northern Ireland, Germany, Scotland, and England still fresh. Of course, my favorite, current pastime is being with my four grandchildren, Kate, Jack, Matthew, and Aubrey. With our new Annual Disneyland passes, we will have plenty of Mickey Mouse Time!

I have an unyielding passion for teaching that not even the rainiest season can dampen. My teaching is not limited to Monday-Friday.  I pick up and create ideas EVERYDAY in ANYPLACE with ANYONE. A market, a restaurant, a museum, or a mall....I am thinking, “Hey, this would work for....”  My planning is nonstop and I love it.

My name is Megan Brown.  I come from a family of teachers and knew as a young child that this was the career I wanted.  After beginning as a substitute teacher at the Edgewood campus 9 years ago, I am now completing my 8th year teaching first grade at the Edgewood Campus.  How time flies!  This year’s 8th graders were my first group of 6 year old students, and it is amazing to see how big they have become (many tower over me when I walk the hallways), and it's hard to believe they are off to high school.  In addition to my position as a first grade teacher, I am also the Grade Level coordinator for first grade and a member of Fairmont’s Promethean Tiger team.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Geography from Long Beach State, and my California Teaching Credential from National University.  I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible with my family, and I have recently learned how wonderful it is to have Disneyland passes!  I have a 6 year old son, Jack, and a 3 year old daughter, Aubrey, who both attend Fairmont’s Anaheim Hills campus. My husband and I recently started a Gourmet Food Truck business which keeps our family busy!  We will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this summer.  Working with my young students and their families is the best part of my job here at Fairmont!  It is so invigorating to watch my first graders grow leaps and bounds during their first grade year.  I love being part of the Fairmont Edgewood family!

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus

FACULTY LOUNGE citron's hope lopez loves hands-on learning

Citron P4 teacher Hope Lopez believes experience is the best teacher.  Whether it’s developing lesson plans for her P4 students, getting messy in her extracurricular class “Cooking and Other Concoctions” or keeping her summer campers engaged, she encourages fun, hands-on learning.  Hope has 10 years experience working with preschool-aged children and a Teaching Certificate in Early Child Development.  She is currently completing her Bachelors of Arts in Human Development.  Hope wears many hats at the Citron campus including Preschool Coordinator for the P4 group.  In addition to baking and cooking, she loves the outdoors and enjoys bike riding and hiking with her two teen-aged sons.  Hope says the best part of her job is having the opportunity, “to work with a wonderful group of ladies and interact with great kids.”

Contributed by Elly, Citron campus

FACULTY LOUNGE anaheim hills' wendy knudson makes a difference

Anaheim Hills’ first grade teacher Ms. Wendy Knudson has worked in Early Childhood Education since 1995, the past six years as a first grade teacher.  For five years running, she has achieved both the Model and Master Teacher designations in Reading and Math through Renaissance Learning.  Wendy has a B.S. in Child and Adolescent Studies from Cal State, Fullerton and has completed Masters level coursework in Education.  She welcomes the challenges inherent in teaching first graders and relishes the opportunity to “make a difference in the lives of young learners.”  To unwind from a day spent hard at work shaping the lives of her little ones, Wendy escapes to the spa or indulges in retail therapy.  She also enjoys reading and volunteering at her church.

Contributed by Vicky, Anaheim Hills campus

FACULTY LOUNGE mable's junior high math teachers take the spotlight

It’s all about math this month at the Mable campus with our faculty spotlight shining on Trevor Ickes and Michelle Paraiso.  These Junior High math teachers make sure Mable’s junior high students are motivated and prepared to challenge any math problem them come up against.  Ms. Paraiso teaches grades seven and eight and is also the junior high math pentathlon coach.  She earned her BA in Mathematics and her MA in Education from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.  In addition to teaching math in the Philippines, she taught at Fairmont Prep for six years before joining the Mable team two years ago.  She enjoys reading and listening to music in her time away from school.   

Michelle's cohort in the Math Department, Mr. Ickes has been teaching for the past seven years, six of those years were spent teaching sixth graders.  He teaches junior high and also serves as NJHS Coordinator and pentathlon coach.  Mr. Ickes earned his BA from Loyola Marymount University and attended National University for his credential courses.  He enjoys coaching soccer, playing golf and boating in his free time.  Both Michelle and Trevor credit the supportive environment at Mable and the motivated students with creating a great teaching environment.   

“I enjoy the constant interaction of teachers and students and the ability to engage students that are prepared to take their education to the next level,” says, Mr. Ickes.  Ms. Paraiso loves getting to know her students by attending social events and working with them outside of class time.

FACULTY LOUNGE edgewood features june huang

They say education is more a calling than a profession--and the calling came for Mrs. June Huang while she was working at a school in London, England as part of a college internship. June teaches Junior High Language Arts and is one of the Academic Pentathlon coaches at the Edgewood campus. She came to Fairmont in 2006 as a long-term substitute at the Prep campus.  In fall of the same year, she began working full-time at the Edgewood campus as the 6th grade Language Arts and Assist teacher. She currently teaches 6th and 7th grade literature and 8th grade English. In addition to an English single-subject teaching credential, June has a BA in English and a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction.  Her hobbies include reading, decorating her home, shopping, exercising, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and 4-month old son. She loves Edgewood’s diverse, well-rounded student body, supportive staff and friendly environment.

Contributed by Jonna, Edgewood campus