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Ms. Casanova
7th - Gifted Science
I relocated from South Florida to Gainesville during the summer of 2020. I taught for the Miami-Dade County Public School district for 19 years. Working in the 3rd largest school district in the country allowed me to tremendously benefit from working with such a dynamic and diverse population. I credit my success as an educator to all the professional development opportunities that were made available throughout my tenure.
Over the years, I have taught Language Arts and Reading in the Elementary grades and later moved on to Middle School science where I have taught all 3 academic levels. Science is by far my favorite subject. I joined the wonderful staff at Ft. Clarke in the Fall of 2021.
My teaching philosophy is that there is no better way to teach Science than to experience it. I adapt my lessons and activities to the individual needs of my students. Whether those efforts are focused on increasing their understanding, assisting them to make connections, fostering personal growth, or encouraging intrinsic motivation. Student driven inquiry experiments and teacher facilitation are my preferred method of instruction. Asking questions and finding answers are always at the forefront. I do not readily provide answers, but rather encourage them to search for them. Always guiding them, but placing an emphasis on problem solving, collaboration, discovery, innovation, communication, and sound scientific practices. Above all, to understand that learning can be fun.
The capacity to learn is a gift. The ability to learn is a skill. The willingness to learn is a choice. ~ Brian Herbert
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Ms. Kamody
8th - Gifted Science
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Ms. Kostamo
6th - Gifted World History
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Mr. Van Wagner
8th - Gifted US History
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Mrs. Schimel
7th - Gifted Civics
I am a military brat, mainly grew up in the Midwest and then moved to Gainesville in the 1980s. I earned a BA in Political Science with minors in English and Statistics. I began substituting in Camden County, Georgia and after trying many other career fields, I found my true passion teaching middle school students. Attending Armstrong Atlantic University at night to earn my teacher certification, I began teaching during the day. I continued my teaching career in Chesapeake, Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland, earning my national certification via the Praxis in Gifted Education and Political Science. This is my 12th year at the Fort, during which time I earned my Master’s in Special Education, focusing on students who are gifted with multi exceptionalities. I hope my students leave my classroom as responsible citizens with a strong efficacy for political engagement.
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Mr. Young
6th - Gifted Science
In 1994, after four years building an environmental education program at Camp Crystal Lake, I started teaching Science at Fort Clarke. I have taught all grade levels, but mainly sixth and eighth. In 2007, my colleagues and administration finally succeeded in convincing me to teach gifted students. So far, the rewards have helped me to overcome the challenges. My formal educational sojourn included extensive studies in Science, Fine Arts, and History before settling on a BA in English with a specialty in technical writing and editing. My informal studies have included work in building construction, restaurants, housekeeping, science journal research and editing, and concert production as well as travels across the U.S. and Europe. I later found my place in teaching. Nothing else I have done has been as challenging or as rewarding.
