LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Nicole Reifsnyder was nominated anonymously.

Creating a positive learning environment is important to Ms. Reifsnyder. She does this by carefully setting up a classroom in which every child feels safe and excited to come to school. The overall design of her classroom is important in Kindergarten because she creates areas around the room where students can learn at workstations/centers. Centers offer each child a chance to work in small groups or independently on their reading, math, science, social studies, and/or social skills. She creates the following centers in her classroom:

• Work on Writing
• Read to Self
• Word Work
• STEAM
• Listen to Reading

During Math class, Ms. Reifsnyder also sets up centers where students can practice their math and social skills after she teaches a lesson. She also creates a small-group instruction area where she can gather children into small reading groups at their differentiated reading and math levels. All of these areas need to be "fun" and engaging while also providing rigorous opportunities to learn and grow academically and socially. She works to build a positive relationship with each child during the first few weeks and develops routines that guide the rest of the school year. She likes a bright classroom with many areas for centers. This, along with building positive relationships and classroom safety, helps create a positive classroom environment where every student can learn and feel loved.