Erin Havens - 8th Grade Homeroom & 7/8 Language Arts
What is your background?
I graduated from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota with a BA in English, Secondary Education and have been teaching middle and high school English in Colorado for 28 years. Last year, I earned my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. I am a Colorado State Licensed teacher.
Where are you from? Tell us about your family? What do you like to do in your free time?
I grew up near Rochester, Minnesota and moved to Colorado to pursue my first teaching job at St. Scholastica Academy, a Catholic, all-girls international boarding and day school in Canon City, CO. My mother and father live in Minnesota, so I make frequent visits there. I live in Elizabeth with my husband Dan, a retired police officer, for 24 years. We have a barn full of horses, a dog and a cat–our family. We enjoy trail riding and camping in the mountains with them. I like being in the mountains of Colorado, on the lakes of Minnesota, travelling to new places, attending live theater performances, cooking, and reading.
What is something people may not know about you?
People may not know that I was on my college rowing team. Although the Colorado mountains are beautiful, I miss the water activities of Minnesota’s rivers and lakes.
What is your favorite part of your school day?
My favorite part of the school year is the start of school in the fall. I love seeing kids excited to return to school, see their friends, shop for school supplies, and share who they are with me. When I go to school each day, I look forward not only to teaching my students, but also learning from them and channeling their boundless energy. I enjoy seeing middle schoolers laugh and care for each other throughout the day and their excitement in the morning as they come to school.
Why do you choose to teach at Ave Maria?
I love teaching at Ave Maria because of its strong community of faith. I appreciate being a part of our students’ faith journeys and integrating Christian values into what we learn and do every day. Our community of students, staff and families have a common foundation of spiritual purpose and strong bond through helping our students discover their individual gifts.
What do you love about teaching?
Teaching is not only about conveying subject matter, but also about creating a community. A classroom is a miraculous space that invites thinking, feeling, and discussion. When a group of individuals comes together to read literature, share thoughts, write ideas, and solve problems, they become a community in the process. Each person comes to a community with a unique set of experiences, talents, perspectives, and understandings. My personal hopes for students are that they develop a sense of self, a love of learning, a respect for diversity, and a desire to become caring, responsible citizens. My goal as a teacher is that my students are prepared for life’s challenges with a capacity not only to analyze and think deeply, but also to trust in their own identity.
What do you love most about teaching your students?
I love creating a challenging, fun, and safe environment that motivates each child to reach his or her potential. I most enjoy seeing middle schoolers grow in a sense of themselves, trusting enough to take a chance or to assume a challenge to discover something new about themselves– an interest or talent.
What do students get at Ave Maria that they won’t get somewhere else?
Our middle school program at Ave Maria truly honors each child and creates a community where they are known, loved and given opportunities to grow through successes and challenges. The integration of our Catholic faith is woven not only into our lessons, but is also lived in our daily lives and relationships.
What has been your most memorable moment at Ave Maria so far?
Seeing Ave Maria grow in so many ways since I have joined the community over the last 12 years has been an amazing experience. Our annual 8th grade trips to Washington, D.C. have been highlights for me.
I graduated from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota with a BA in English, Secondary Education and have been teaching middle and high school English in Colorado for 28 years. Last year, I earned my Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. I am a Colorado State Licensed teacher.
Where are you from? Tell us about your family? What do you like to do in your free time?
I grew up near Rochester, Minnesota and moved to Colorado to pursue my first teaching job at St. Scholastica Academy, a Catholic, all-girls international boarding and day school in Canon City, CO. My mother and father live in Minnesota, so I make frequent visits there. I live in Elizabeth with my husband Dan, a retired police officer, for 24 years. We have a barn full of horses, a dog and a cat–our family. We enjoy trail riding and camping in the mountains with them. I like being in the mountains of Colorado, on the lakes of Minnesota, travelling to new places, attending live theater performances, cooking, and reading.
What is something people may not know about you?
People may not know that I was on my college rowing team. Although the Colorado mountains are beautiful, I miss the water activities of Minnesota’s rivers and lakes.
What is your favorite part of your school day?
My favorite part of the school year is the start of school in the fall. I love seeing kids excited to return to school, see their friends, shop for school supplies, and share who they are with me. When I go to school each day, I look forward not only to teaching my students, but also learning from them and channeling their boundless energy. I enjoy seeing middle schoolers laugh and care for each other throughout the day and their excitement in the morning as they come to school.
Why do you choose to teach at Ave Maria?
I love teaching at Ave Maria because of its strong community of faith. I appreciate being a part of our students’ faith journeys and integrating Christian values into what we learn and do every day. Our community of students, staff and families have a common foundation of spiritual purpose and strong bond through helping our students discover their individual gifts.
What do you love about teaching?
Teaching is not only about conveying subject matter, but also about creating a community. A classroom is a miraculous space that invites thinking, feeling, and discussion. When a group of individuals comes together to read literature, share thoughts, write ideas, and solve problems, they become a community in the process. Each person comes to a community with a unique set of experiences, talents, perspectives, and understandings. My personal hopes for students are that they develop a sense of self, a love of learning, a respect for diversity, and a desire to become caring, responsible citizens. My goal as a teacher is that my students are prepared for life’s challenges with a capacity not only to analyze and think deeply, but also to trust in their own identity.
What do you love most about teaching your students?
I love creating a challenging, fun, and safe environment that motivates each child to reach his or her potential. I most enjoy seeing middle schoolers grow in a sense of themselves, trusting enough to take a chance or to assume a challenge to discover something new about themselves– an interest or talent.
What do students get at Ave Maria that they won’t get somewhere else?
Our middle school program at Ave Maria truly honors each child and creates a community where they are known, loved and given opportunities to grow through successes and challenges. The integration of our Catholic faith is woven not only into our lessons, but is also lived in our daily lives and relationships.
What has been your most memorable moment at Ave Maria so far?
Seeing Ave Maria grow in so many ways since I have joined the community over the last 12 years has been an amazing experience. Our annual 8th grade trips to Washington, D.C. have been highlights for me.