Dear 5th Grade Parents,                 September 2019

Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year!  My name is Kelly Taddia and I will be your child’s fifth grade teacher.  I am looking forward to working with you and your student to make this year a very special and memorable one. This is my ninth year at Johnson and I am thrilled to be spending the year with your student.

Let me briefly tell you a little about myself. During my career, I have had the opportunity to have many rich experiences and different roles with Livonia Public Schools. Besides having taught third, fourth and sixth grade, I have been a Literacy Coach and a district Literacy Leader, which allowed me to collaborate with other teachers across the district and to receive additional professional development in researched based reading and writing practices. 

Prior to teaching at Johnson, I taught sixth grade for five years at Cooper and thirteen years at Kennedy where I worked with all grade levels. Fifth grade is a great age and I love being back!

My teaching degrees are in Science, Health Education and Literacy. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University with a focus in Elementary Education and Science Curriculum and later went on to receive my Master’s Degree in Language Arts and Curriculum from E.M.U., as well.

Aside from continuing my professional development by taking classes and attending workshops, I completed my training in part of a special state leadership consortium called Galileo. This was a two year development plan for teacher leadership. I am very passionate about life-long learning and am looking forward to applying this learning here at Johnson.

It is my goal to make sure that each student has an optimal learning experience by providing them with a safe, nurturing environment. Ms. Barnes and I will be working together this year. We will switch classes for students to work with Ms. Barnes in the area of social studies and I will be teaching science to both classes. My approach to teaching is to take each child from where they are and provide them with a learning environment that will enable them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally to his or her best potential. By working together as a team with your child I am confident that we will share many wonderful experiences throughout the upcoming year that will help your child grow.  Get ready for a great year!!

Warmly,

Ms. Kelly Taddia