Teacher Feature: Darla R.
Darla has a “kid at heart” personality that draws in her young students and keeps them engaged (which isn’t always easy with elementary-aged kids).
The families who work with Darla rave about how quickly she’s able to capture the hearts and minds of their kids, and are often blown away by how much their kids look forward to their lessons as a result. Read on to learn more about how Darla came to be such an amazing teacher!
About Darla
Darla graduated from Texas State University with a BA in Spanish and Communications. She has been working with students since 1998, tutoring all grade levels and all subjects, as well as working in online instruction. She is certified to teach early childhood, elementary subjects, ESL, bilingual (Spanish), special education (EC-12), state assessment preparation, reading, and writing. She has also spearheaded a student newspaper and spent five years volunteering in Mexico, working with the children of Indigenous Relief workers.
Darla takes a “whole student” approach to her teaching, and is especially skilled at supporting students in developing social-emotional skills such as growth mindset in addition to academic skills.
When did you start teaching and why?
I started teaching as a certified teacher in 2009 and knew it was where I was supposed to be as working with children had always been my calling from when I was a child.
What’s your favorite subject to teach and why?
My favorite subject to teach is probably reading and writing because I have a blast teaching project-based learning across all curriculum to really bring learning to life, making connections to the real world and humanity.
What do you enjoy most about teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
What I enjoy most about teaching for Pacific Preparatory is not only how amazing and supportive the team is but most of all, I adore being able to teach the customized curriculum in a one-on-one setting. This format allows me to really focus on each student individually for the entire class time.
Can you tell me about a specific time when you saw a student thriving at Pacific Preparatory?
Absolutely! I have witnessed this multiple times. Two of my social studies students have been busy pinning all the locations on Google Earth that they have visited since moving to a new community. They are gearing up to use their mad video gaming skills in Minecraft where they will be creating an interactive 3D "walk-through" map of their new neighborhood with all their pinned locations thus far along with the notable landmarks in their new city. What I love so much about this project is that they are so excited to use their strengths and something they love to not only show their learning and mapping skills but are also really going above and beyond planning some spectacular details they love about their new community. I am over the moon excited to see all of this roll out!
What is your favorite activity to do outside of teaching?
My absolute favorite activity to do outside of teaching is traveling with my daughter, going on local adventures, road trips, making bucket lists for these trips, and scratching every single list item off. During quarantine, my favorite activity is watching the stars on my patio and doing art projects with my daughter, Ria.
Thank you Darla for all of the amazing work that you do with your students. We appreciate you!