Reading Can Be Puzzling: 1st Grade

Cassondra Shields (Ms. Cassie):

Cassondra has been an ESL (English as a second language) teacher for four years to the age groups 3-15. She graduated from the Honor's Program at The University of Nevada, Reno with a research thesis on adolescent conduct disorder attributes and how those attributes were statistically represented in adult incarceration and recidivism rates based on longitudinal study results. In order to conduct this type of research, Cassondra studied behavior, neurology, and psychology of children for several years as well as additional English and writing courses to write about this type of research. She has brought her expertise on child development and learning behaviors to Outschool as the curriculum developer for Shields Scholars. Cassondra is also a homeschool mom to her own children.

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Rheagan Bloomquist (Ms. Rheagan):

Rheagan earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She has a passion for helping people, and she believes every child can succeed when given the chance. She has experience working with elementary school children in her local independent school district. She also has prior experience teaching special needs kids. What Rheagan wants most is to make education exciting rather than scary; her goal is to help all children feel welcome, safe, and smart. She is excited to create a nurturing and fun learning environment for all children with Shield’s Scholars. 

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Kirste Van Liew (Ms. Kirste)
                                                                                                      
Kirste earned her Bachelor’s degree from Moody Bible Institute, and she holds a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). She has valuable teaching experience at an international school in Tunis, Tunisia. She has tutored students from various countries, including Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Kurdistan, and China. She is passionate about helping children thrive in their learning and loves encouraging them to recognize their progress from the very beginning to where they are now.  She believes that parents are the real youth leaders and is here to support and encourage the family as they effectively lead their homes and come alongside their children to encourage and help them grow with a passion for learning. She believes that parents play a vital role in reinforcing what their children learn in school.