Mrs. Toland graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Sports Studies and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Monmouth University. She worked at AT&Tas an account manager and an exercise physiologist for ten years before becoming a teacher. She is also married with three beautiful boys!

Your teacher has a few other jobs too! She teaches spinning and Pilates classes, step and aerobic dance classes. She actually enjoys exercising... most of the time! Your teacher, of course, loves to read. Some of her favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Romeo and Juliet, Catcher in the Rye, The Polar Express, and The Giving Tree. Most recently Mrs. Toland enjoyed reading The Secret Life of Bees and Shadow of the Wind. She has many favorite authors, but Judy Blume was her first favorite author!

Mrs. Toland also loves to travel, play at Disneyworld, listen to music, create websites, paint furniture and work on her children's scrap books. She is currently writing a young adult novel she hopes to have published. Apparently, the teacher wants to add "author" to her list of jobs. "There just isn't enough time to do everything I want to do," she exasperates, "but I will keep trying!"

I believe that all children can learn, and more importantly can enjoy learning. I believe that self-esteem is a crucial component in the learning process and that a child's self-esteem can be greatly affected by their teacher as well as their environment. Children need to feel safe, comfortable and capable. They must be valued.

By assessing and building on prior knowledge and by offering a variety of activities in a variety of different ways, I will make every effort to reach every child. I will help children realize their unique gifts and talents and encourage them to use those talents in different ways. While maintaining control of my classroom, I will value the opinions of my students and support a cooperative learning environment, where everyone can make a contribution.

I have had many wonderful teaching experiences and have learned how rewarding each one is for me. I enjoy learning from my students. There is a certain grace in accepting that you don't know everything and a joy in learning something new each day.

P.S. For more on my multiple intelligence approach to education, please check out my other website: "It's not how smart you are, it is how you are smart!