Since May 2020, I have been teaching Latin classes on Outschool for ages 7 to 12. I retired from teaching in the classroom after 33 years, most of which were in science for elementary school students. Meteorology has always been one of my strongest areas in science and has intrigued me since a notable weather event occurred in my local area when I was six years old. In this group, the learners will discuss a variety of weather phenomena, events, and forecasts throughout the course of the year, and I will add some of my teaching of the science behind them. Topics of group discussion may range from nice, tranquil weather, to harsher weather including topics that might be uncomfortable for some students. These may include severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, heat waves, bitter cold, and whiteout conditions during blizzards. Occasionally, a learner might be tempted to mention storm damage that weather's forces naturally can create. My emphasis for all learners will be on the science of weather itself and not casualty aspects. The focus will be on how to stay safe and the reassurance that their grownups will keep them safe. It is a goal of mine for increased learning and understanding of all weather, which when it includes extreme weather, to actually decrease or eliminate fears rather than intensify them. 

I enjoy instilling self-confidence and motivation in students to learn unfamiliar material in ways that are relevant to their familiar, everyday lives. This involves a combination of discovery, discussion, and practice, with an age-appropriate sense of humor. Establishing a low-risk atmosphere and a comfortable rapport, I enjoy connecting with each individual learner, valuing the unique interests, strengths, and eager curiosity the students bring to class.

Welcome to our Group! You and your group mates will share what is happening with the weather and I hope you will learn and understand more about it than you already do. Sometimes kids like to report what is happening outside their houses. Remember not to take any pictures that have other people in them, or what your house looks like, or what your address is. But photos of hail, snow, sleet, rain puddles, and other stuff like that are fine! Sometimes kids like to share something important that is happening with the weather in the nation. If you can already understand what is on weather maps, that's great. If you do not, or there is more than you can learn about weather maps, that is also great! I will help you learn about them.

Please keep in mind that some of the weather that happens can be scary to some kids. But our group is a safe place. If some group members discuss severe weather (like tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes), let's make sure we also talk about how to stay safe and how your grownups will keep you safe. 

We want all of our learners to feel comfortable, connected, and safe. That's why we have 3 rules we ask you to follow: Be Kind, Be Safe, and Be Respectful.

Be Kind - Help all learners feel welcome and included.
Learners from all over the world, with different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, abilities, gender identities, religions and body types, participate in our Group. Always be nice and make others, especially new learners, know that they belong and are welcome. Teasing, name calling, or bullying anybody in our community? Nope. Not happening here

Be Safe - Keep your personal information private and never ask other learners for theirs.
Personal things are personal. We want to keep you safe on Outschool, but we also want YOU to understand how to be safe when you're meeting other learners or teachers. Keep your full name, home address, gaming or social media name, email, and school name private.

Be Respectful - Treat others how you want to be treated.
Keep language clean and information you share safe. If you wouldn't say it or share with your grandma, don't do it here. Swear words, racy videos, and violent images are not allowed. Treat Outschool like a public place, and when in doubt, keep things covered.