Mrs. Hughes Third Grade -welcome to My Site

I am glad to have your child in my class this year and to work in conjunction with you for your child's best and happiest year. I have high expectations for all areas of success. Education in my class is designed to meet the needs of all students. I believe that every child is an unique and important individual who can learn.
I believe it is my responsibility to serve as facilitator for the development of each child's maximum potential academically, physically, socially, spiritually and emotionally. I am committed to providing opportunities, which assist in helping students make self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions.

A succesful educational career is a team effort. Each member of this special team is equally important to your child's learning experience. You and I want the best for your student. As parents, you play a key role in the education of your children. Your words of encouragement, a hug when the day has been rough, your interest in your child's work, and your presence at school functions are essential!

Parents are important. Make an appointment to meet and talk with me. Please feel free to ask questions! Volunteer your time and energy. Your involvement will show your children that you value education.

I come from a family of eight. My three older sisters were all teachers, now retired from teaching. My two younger brothers and my mom in the Boulder area. Unfortunately, we have lost two family members. I am lucky that all six of us live in the Boulder/Denver area.

My family lived all over the United States. Our journeys included Virginia , Minnesota , and Maryland , back to Minnesota , Colorado , and Texas and Colorado to stay. Many thanks to my brother John who got this site strarted and patiently taught me to continue it. (Since then, I have taught myself by trial and error.) I thank my sister Elizabeth for editing some of the pages. I am blessed with a wonderful family!

Right after high school, I began working as a teacher’s assistant in Boulder Valley Public Schools. I learned a lot doing that job while attending C.U. Next, I taught English at the middle school level at Alexander Dawson, a private school, where Dan and I were house-parents for ten boys, aged eleven through eighteen. After that, I taught a combination first and second grades at St. Louis School in Louisville. Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder was my next school where I taught second and third grades for a total of thrirteen years. At St. Thomas More School, I taught first and third grade. This year I'll be celebrating my 30th year teaching with the Archdiocese of Denver. Time does fly when you're doing what you love! I have been fortunate to teach all the primary grades 1-3 at three elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Denver. Teaching is my vocation and passion!

My three major goals are:

1. To serve God.

2. To do the very best to educate your child and to make learning enjoyable.
3. To communicate well with you through this website and your child's planner.
Please be sure to make an appointment if I can help you in any way!

More Thoughts on My Philosophy

My goal is to have a classroom that is full of delight and information. My classroom will be a place for all students to feel comfortable. I will meet needs of diverse learners by adapting lessons to meet educational goals. I will foster an environment in which all students will think critically and creatively. Students will be active in learning, be motivated in a positive way and be provided with strategies to help them succeed. Self-esteem, self-respect and positive communication will be priorities in my classroom. I will provide activites that allow students to engage in higher level thinking skills. Children need to direct their own learning in moments of free time. Each child will need a book to challenge himself or herself. All students will experience that learning is fun and useful.

I believe that teachers have an immessurable obligagion to foster the full capabilities of their students, motivating, encouraging and inspiring them to succeed. Teachers need to model learning to instill the importance of education and to provide strategies and skills to succeed and become life-long learners.

Parents invovement is key in that the more actively you are involved in their child's education the more the child can achieve. Our relationship is vital. Communition with you is the goal of the website and information written in the students' planners. I invite your questions at all times. Please feel free to let me share your concerns or compliments. We are partners in providing the best educational experience for your child. I anticipate a wonderfully successful year!