Teacher's Corner
Welcome to Mrs. Smith's
1st & 2nd Grade Classroom
I want you to know that I see it as a privilege to be your
child's teacher. 1 John4:12 says, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." I take this verse to heart and it is the center of my mission at Rivergate. It's like God is saying, "Your students can't see me directly, but if you love them, I live in you and my love is made complete in you. Pass my love on to them in action and in truth because whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me."
I have been in education for 34 years. I am originally from Southern Africa. I was born in Rhodesia (known today as Zimbabwe) and moved to South Africa when I was a Junior in High School. I taught Elementary School in South Africa for 13 years, 5 of which were as the principal of Keitsleigh SDA School in Durban. In 1999, I moved to the USA and taught Junior High in Lincoln City SDA School for 7 years. I moved to Portland in 2005 and started teaching 2nd & 3rd Grade at Rivergate. I was vice principal for 2014-2015 and was Rivergate's principal from 2015-2020. I am thrilled to be going back into the classroom and teaching 1st and 2nd Grade! My husband's name is James and we just added two kittens to our home! Their names are Shaka and Khan. My favorite things are owls, frogs and dragonflies but mostly, my favorite thing is to work with children!
As your child's teacher, it my goal:
1st & 2nd Grade Classroom
I want you to know that I see it as a privilege to be your
child's teacher. 1 John4:12 says, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." I take this verse to heart and it is the center of my mission at Rivergate. It's like God is saying, "Your students can't see me directly, but if you love them, I live in you and my love is made complete in you. Pass my love on to them in action and in truth because whoever welcomes a child in my name, welcomes me."
I have been in education for 34 years. I am originally from Southern Africa. I was born in Rhodesia (known today as Zimbabwe) and moved to South Africa when I was a Junior in High School. I taught Elementary School in South Africa for 13 years, 5 of which were as the principal of Keitsleigh SDA School in Durban. In 1999, I moved to the USA and taught Junior High in Lincoln City SDA School for 7 years. I moved to Portland in 2005 and started teaching 2nd & 3rd Grade at Rivergate. I was vice principal for 2014-2015 and was Rivergate's principal from 2015-2020. I am thrilled to be going back into the classroom and teaching 1st and 2nd Grade! My husband's name is James and we just added two kittens to our home! Their names are Shaka and Khan. My favorite things are owls, frogs and dragonflies but mostly, my favorite thing is to work with children!
As your child's teacher, it my goal:
- that they will learn more about Jesus and see Him as their best friend
- that they will know that God loves them and is always there for them
- that they will feel warmly welcome and loved at Rivergate
- that they will enjoy learning and be successful
- that they will learn to think for themselves and develop good lifeskills
- that they will feel good about themselves and recognize their God given talents
- that they will find the good in themselves and others and focus on the positives
- that they will know that there is no problem so great that they can't solve it with God's help
