Meet Ms. Horton
PCM English Language Arts
Welcome to my classroom! My name is Ms. Horton, and I'm go glad you're joining this learning space! Here's just a little information about me as we get the 2022-2023 school year underway!
I live in Pleasant Hill with my boyfriend Joe, and we have two Border Collie/Aussies named Finn and Lincoln. They are a handful, but we love them dearly! I really enjoy traveling, spending time with friends, and family, reading books, and watching a good movie with a bowl of butter-less popcorn!
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I have a future step-son named Landon who loves Octonauts, and has the biggest smile in the world! He has a rare condition called Coffin Siris Syndrome, as well as a rare condition that causes frequent seizures, so in addition to English, special needs programs are near and dear to my heart. I have a two year old nephew named Easton, and a four month old nephew named Sutton! We spend quite a bit of time together-- Easton is obsessed with horses so naturally he's super excited that his Aunt's school mascot is a Mustang, and Sutton just loves having someone to smile at. Our favorite end of summer activity is to go into the horse barn at the Iowa State Fair. Easton knows ALL the different types of horses, so watching him name them all off when we see them is so fun!
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I absolutely LOVE coffee, and I am a frequent customer at Starbucks or Caribou! I'm also a HUGE Iowa State, and Green Bay Packer fan. We're a family divided as Joe is a Chicago Bears fan, but we make it work during football season. :) My all-time favorite fall activity is watching a good football game on a Sunday afternoon.
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I'm one of the three English Language Arts teachers here at PCM and this is my sixth year teaching, but my fourth year teaching at PCM High School. The classes I teach are listed on the top of the homepage.
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Thank you for stopping by my website. Reading and Writing Help pages are available on the homepage!
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Make it a great day!
Sincerely,
Ms. Horton
Bachelors in Theatre and Secondary Education
Southeast Polk High School Alum- Class of '08
Taught Middle School ELA at Christ the King years 1 & 2 of my teaching career.
Currently in my 4th year teaching English Language Arts at PCM High School.
My Education Philosophy
Every single student is capable of learning and succeeding, and I have high expectations of each student that enters into my classroom. It is these high expectations that have prepared my students for the road ahead whether that be post-secondary education or the real world.
These expectations can be met when students do their best, try their hardest, and are honest about their responsibility in their education. In each of my classes, students will be challenged, stretched, and encouraged to think “outside the box" while completing the learning targets of the English Language Arts Iowa Core Standards.
While I want, and expect, each student to succeed, I understand that success does not come without self- discipline, support, guidance, and instruction. I always make myself available as often as necessary, provide students with every tool possible to succeed in my classes, and work with students as frequently as requested or needed in order to encourage success.
At this level of their education I believe it is imperative that students be an advocate for themselves, and their education as they will need to be advocates for themselves once they're legally adults. Learning is the responsibility of each student. This means that if a student is falling behind, not understanding the material, or needs additional help, they need to ask for help and make an effort to catch up. Asking for help can be hard, but it is a life skill that is extremely important for them to possess. All of the lessons taught in my classes are connected to life skills they will need in the future, and I always disclose how this will pertain to their life outside of school.
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I truly believe each student can succeed and am excited to have the opportunity to teach students not only how to be successful in the classroom, but to use those same skills to be successful in the world ahead!