Elsie Ostwinkle

Background

About Elsie Ostwinkle

Hello! My name is Elsie Ostwinkle. I was born and raised in Northeast Iowa. That is where I went to college—a small school, Clarke University in Dubuque Iowa. I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education. In Iowa, I am certified with My K-6 Elementary Classroom and I have a K-8 endorsement in Reading. My first year of teaching, I taught a 5th grade class of 23 in a rural public school. Currently, I teach at a small private school— 4th - 6th language arts and science, and long-term subbed 7-8th science due to a teacher shortage. While I have enjoyed growing up and working in a rural community. I am ready to spread my wings and work and learn in a larger, more diverse community. The most important aspect of myself is that. I am a life-long learner. I became a teacher because I value learning and I want to inspire others to do the same. Learning and education has opened my eyes and taken me all over the world. I have worked with students in Panama, Tanzania, Kenya, and India. India, in particular, was a pivotal experience for me. I facilitated a 6-week summer school, teaching 50 student (age 5-16) an English Language Program. Kenya, where I ended up studying a semester of International Relations at a local university there is also very important to my journey. I want to continue on this path. I am a professional that follows current, best practice. I am up to date in the content I teach an it shows. I value learner differences and I am a big believer in differentiation through problem-based, social learning. I am culturally competent. I have consistently put myself in positions where I learn about others’ way of life. In a diverse team, I am a listener and an amplifier. I know my place, cultural. Last but not least, I am an emotionally intelligent mentor and I care about all my students. I genuinely want the best for each of my students.