“The mediocre teacher tells.  The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

               –William Ward

 

     Hello! My name is Elaine Garafalo. Welcome to my online portfolio. I am originally from upstate New York. I grew up in the town of Queensbury, a small-urban area within the Adirondack Mountains. I am a big sister to three siblings. I graduated from Queensbury High School with a Regents Diploma and a series in art. I enjoy the outdoors and am an avid reader. Traveling is a passion of mine. I have traveled much of the United States before coming to Illinois in 2003.

        After coming to Illinois, I decided to return to school where I soon enrolled at Illinois State University. Upon graduation in May of 2007, I recieved a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education together with endorsements in Language Arts, Social Sciences, Science, and Middle School. By playing school as a child with my siblings and having relatives in education, I have always wanted to pursue a teaching career. What always has appealed to me about such a career is that this is a way to help others and make a difference in the world.  Two words that my mentors and colleagues use to describe me are insightful and creative. My life experiences have molded me into an insightful person. I am able to easily connect with my students and gain a positive rapport with them. With my creative touch I am able to find new ways to deliver instruction and peak the interest of my students.

        Through my participation in the Pekin PDS I have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in the classroom. I also had the privilege of working at different grade levels. As my departure from the PDS family nears, I am thankful for the chance I have had to learn that teaching is my true calling. I am looking forward to embarking on this new journey as an educator.