Dayna Watkins

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I have been a classroom teacher for 19 years. Although I've been teaching 7th and 8th grade science for the past 7 years, the first part of my career was focused on mostly 5th and 6th grade. In addition to the upper grades, I also taught grades 1-4, in which some of those were multi-age classes.

MY TEACHING STYLE
I prefer a hands-on approach to learning, where student discussion and activity is the primary focus. When students listen to me all day, they get bored and that's where much of the discipline issues arise.

HONORS/AWARDS/SHINING TEACHER MOMENT
As a 5th grade teacher, my students received runner up three years in a row for the Disney Jimmy Cricket Environmentally project. Also, I received a scholarship from U.C. Merced for my work in science with students. The best part of both of these achievements is that students were able to create, maintain, and harvest a school garden.

MY OWN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
My college education started at Fresno State University where I studied dietetics for three years. Then, I transferred to Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo, where I continued my education and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Nutritional Science. After moving back to my hometown, I went back to school at CSU Stanislaus where I earned a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. When I started teaching at the Jr. high school level, I earned a supplemental in science.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Through out my teaching career, I have had influential mentors and teaching partners. Furthermore, I have been a master teacher three different times, have mentored 8 teachers, and am the department chair of the science department where I work. My passion has become helping other teachers and passing on the tips and tricks I learned along the way. TEACHING EXPERIENCE I have been a classroom teacher for 19 years. Although I've been teaching 7th and 8th grade science for the past 7 years, the first part of my... read more