Forman Elementary - Plano ISD

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ESOL/Literacy

ABOUT LITERACY

Literacy Teaching formerly (Reading Recovery) is an early intervention program for first grade students. It is supplementary literacy support. The literacy teachers meet with first grade students individually for thirty-minutes daily and small groups throughout the day.

Students receiving literacy teaching are taught to use strategies such as looking at the picture to get the meaning; thinking about what sounds right; and they are taught to think about what looks right.

First grade literacy students are in the program twelve to sixteen weeks. When they make the necessary progress as determined by the classroom teacher and the Literacy teacher, they are discontinued from the program. These students are expected to continue to make progress with the average reading group in the classroom.

Parents are encouraged to help with their child's success by listening to them read and to assist them by asking them to use clues and problem solve rather than giving them the answers.

The Literacy teachers are here to be a successful intervention and help the students achieve the maximum academic success.

ABOUT ESOL

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is a pull-out program for students in first through fifth grades who are not in the bilingual program or who speak a language other than Spanish in their home. There are fifteen countries represented on our campus which makes our school truly multicultural. The ESOL teacher also provides instruction in English for one period each day in the bilingual classrooms to give the students practice in using their English skills. It takes approximately three to seven years to become completely fluent in a new language. All of Forman is proud of the program and our students

At Forman Elementary we have bilingual classes in first through fifth grade for Spanish speaking students. The excellent bilingual teachers provide English education through the use of the first, or native language, of the students. The students are learning to read and write both in Spanish and English.

OUR ESOL and LITERACY TEACHERS

Natalie Shanks Literacy

I am a Literacy Specialist at Forman. This is my 8th year teaching. For my first five years of teaching, I taught kindergarten, and the last two years I have been working with Literacy. I love teaching reading! I graduated from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma in 2002, and in 2007 I graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master’s degree.

My husband Joe and I have one daughter, Tiffany, and two dogs, Chico and Mia. We love reading, sports, outdoors, and relaxing as a family.

I am looking forward to another great year at Forman, and I can not wait to meet all of you!

email:Natlie.Shanks@pisd.edu
Ext 21296

Andrea Jaramillo ESOL

I was born and raised in Galveston, Texas. I have one younger brother who is working in Russia and an older sister who is attending UTSA. I have recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Science degree and my certification includes early childhood through fourth grade with an emphasis in ESL. I am very excited to be working here in Plano and especially at Forman. I am looking forward to a great year. Go Falcons!!!

email: Andrea.Jaramillo@pisd.edu
Ext 21268

Armanda Louis-Charles Literacy

I completed my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Reading in August 2008 from the University of North Texas. My 14 years of teaching include eight years as a Middle School Band director, three years in 4th grade Bilingual, and one year in Kindergarten. This is currently my third year as a support teacher and I totally love it. I enjoy working with different grade levels and assisting my students reach their educational goals.

email:Amandina.Louis-Charles@pisd.edu
Ext 21297

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Martha Preston Math

I am a math intervention specialist. I am a proud graduate of Texas A&M University, class of 2000 (whoop!) and also received a Master’s degree from the University of North Texas. I have taught bilingual kindergarten and 3rd grade at Forman and this will be my second year in a math specialist role.

My husband, Mike, and I have a 2 ½ year-old son, William and we are expecting another child, Ryan, in October. We love all sports and watching movies!

I am so proud of all our Forman students and can’t wait to meet all our Forman families this year!

email:Martha.Preston@pisd.edu
Ext 21249

Martha Umaña Literacy

This is my third year teaching in Plano I.S.D., I can not wait to begin the school year to watch the students grow. I received my Master degree at Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica. Currently, I am a student of the doctoral program at Walden University; I am in the process of writing my dissertation. I enjoy working with students to improve their reading. I strive to take the boredom out of reading and make the experience fun and interesting. In particular, I work hard to help students create a reading habit to help them become life-long learners.

email:Martha.Umana@pisd.edu
Ext 21247

Cimberly Riggs-White Lit

This is my ninth year teaching and my fifth year at Forman! I am now an Intervention Specialist here at Forman Elementary! I have taught everything from Pre-K through Third grade, and now enjoy working with the Third, Fourth, and fifth grade students, mainly in Reading. I graduated from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska with a degree in Early Childhood.

My husband, Charles and I have been married for six years. We moved to the Plano area four years ago from Atlanta GA! We have an 18 month old son, Caiden. When I am not chasing after Caiden, I enjoy reading books for Book Club, Scrapbooking, and checking out all of the local consignment sales!

I feel truly blessed to be apart of the Forman Family and look forward to another amazing year! Go Falcons!

email:Cimberly.Riggs-White@pisd.edu
Ext 21285

Keli Calderon

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Arizona State University. I also have a Master's Degree in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University. Besides ESL, I have taught Bilingual 3, 4, and 5th grades and also a Newcomer's class for recent immigrants. I have been teaching in Plano for about 10 years and love it! When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my two boys, Ian and Mason. I also love to cook and work in the garden.

email:Keli.Calderon@pisd.edu
Ext 21293