Kari Rodgers - 2nd Grade
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What is your background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado. I also hold a Certification of Catholic School Administration from Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles). I am a Colorado State Licensed teacher. Where are you from? Originally, I am from Butte, Montana; I grew up an Air Force child so we moved around a lot. I have lived in Montana (Butte and Great Falls), Utah, California, Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Wyoming, Arkansas, and of course now Colorado (Greeley, Aurora, and Parker)! Tell us about your family? I have been married to my husband, Andy for 28 years. We met in Greeley when he was in the Air National Guard and I was substitute teaching and working at Target. We have lived in the Parker area for 20 years now. I have two daughters, Abby is 24 and currently a Service Manager for Chipotle. She is a graduate of AMCS and attended Legend High School and Arapahoe Community College. Emily is 18 and currently attends Colorado Early College Parker. She is a fifth year senior and will graduate in May with her high school diploma and Associate's of Arts from Arapahoe Community College. What do you like to do in your free time? I love to cook with my daughters! Emily is my baker and we have fun trying new things! I love to spend time with my husband working in the yard. I enjoy traveling and spending time with my extended family. What is something people may not know about you? My path to teaching was strayed when I first graduated college. The market for teaching was full of incredible teachers and I found myself in a supervisory position at Target. I then moved to Denver where I worked in healthcare insurance as an office manager. After marrying Andy, I began working for a commercial real estate company in Human Resources, Payroll, and office operations. After Abby was born, I worked at a home health care organization in their human resources department. I was drawn back into education by a good friend who needed help with a small private school. I've been teaching for 19 years and love every day. |
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What is your favorite part of your school day?
I love teaching math! But, my favorite part is when I see my class growing and take on the ownership of their learning! I love when they want to extend lessons and reach out to learn more.
Why do you choose to teach at Ave Maria?
Ave Maria provides an environment that is family oriented and faith filled. I love how I can incorporate faith into all subject areas during the school day. The families at Ave Maria are supportive and committed to a faith filled education. The staff and faculty are the same!
What do you love about teaching second grade?
Second graders are incredible! They grow so much during the school year both emotionally and academically. I love to see them learn how to take the material they are learning, and expand their knowledge.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about finding new and differentiated ways for children to learn. I try to learn as much as I can to help my students. I also look for ways to better help a child learn and reach their best potential.
What do you love most about your students?
Watching them grow academically and emotionally! It is amazing to look back at the end of the year to see the growth a child has made. I enjoy getting to know the student as well. Understanding the whole child makes teaching them a better experience for both of us.
What do students get at Ave Maria that they won’t get somewhere else?
Ave Maria students get a faith filled education fulfilled through a faculty who supports and cares about them.
What do you love most about Ave Maria?
Ave Maria not only provides an excellent education to the students, but Ave Maria also encourages faculty and staff to grow their own knowledge base as well. Learning is found throughout the school.
What has been your most memorable moment at Ave Maria so far?
A couple years ago I was given the Christ the Teacher award for the diocese. It was such an honor to be selected out of all of the diocesan teachers to be given this special consideration. My students that year were so proud!
What do you love most about your job?
Working with the staff and students! Ave Maria is an extension of my own family. I look forward to coming to work each and every day.
I love teaching math! But, my favorite part is when I see my class growing and take on the ownership of their learning! I love when they want to extend lessons and reach out to learn more.
Why do you choose to teach at Ave Maria?
Ave Maria provides an environment that is family oriented and faith filled. I love how I can incorporate faith into all subject areas during the school day. The families at Ave Maria are supportive and committed to a faith filled education. The staff and faculty are the same!
What do you love about teaching second grade?
Second graders are incredible! They grow so much during the school year both emotionally and academically. I love to see them learn how to take the material they are learning, and expand their knowledge.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about finding new and differentiated ways for children to learn. I try to learn as much as I can to help my students. I also look for ways to better help a child learn and reach their best potential.
What do you love most about your students?
Watching them grow academically and emotionally! It is amazing to look back at the end of the year to see the growth a child has made. I enjoy getting to know the student as well. Understanding the whole child makes teaching them a better experience for both of us.
What do students get at Ave Maria that they won’t get somewhere else?
Ave Maria students get a faith filled education fulfilled through a faculty who supports and cares about them.
What do you love most about Ave Maria?
Ave Maria not only provides an excellent education to the students, but Ave Maria also encourages faculty and staff to grow their own knowledge base as well. Learning is found throughout the school.
What has been your most memorable moment at Ave Maria so far?
A couple years ago I was given the Christ the Teacher award for the diocese. It was such an honor to be selected out of all of the diocesan teachers to be given this special consideration. My students that year were so proud!
What do you love most about your job?
Working with the staff and students! Ave Maria is an extension of my own family. I look forward to coming to work each and every day.
