Hello!  My name is Catherine Roeder (pronounced "Raider").  I will be your first grade teacher this year.  I am excited to get started for the 2009-2010 school year.  Here's a little bit of information about my family...  I grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota.  My father and brother are truck drivers and my mother is a nurse.  My parents and brother (along with his family) still live in MN.  My parents are now retired and do the "snowbird thing" -- they spend summers in MN and winter in AZ.  Before becoming a teacher, I was a nanny and a baker.

I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.  I earned my Master's degree in Teaching from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

I have been teaching at Garehime since it opened in 1998.  I have taught both first and second grade.  I look forward to another exciting year in first grade!

I believe first grade is one of the MOST important years in a child's education.  I get such a thrill when I see a child's face light up when they discover something new or realize "I CAN READ!"  In first grade, I believe, we continue to strengthen the foundation that was started in Kindergarten.  The stronger this foundation is, the stronger and more confident the child will be as he/she faces the rest of their educational careers.  I love learning and I hope to help nurture that same sense of wonder and excitement in your child!

I am engaged to Al, a children's birthday party magician and family entertainer.  We have two pets -- Mittens (cat) and Pocus, Jr., (the magically appearing bunny rabbit)! 

If you would like to check out MagicAl's magical website, go to:  www.lasvegaskidsmagic.com