Meet Mrs. Manning!

    When school begins Monday, August 15, 2011, I will begin my twenty-third year as a teacher at Bella Vista Elementary School. After teaching 4th grade for twenty-one years, a 4th/5th combination class for one year, I will now be teaching 5th grade. I will miss the fourth grade curriculum, but change is good and I am looking forward to teaching a new curriculum and having some students in my class that I had last year. I became a teacher because I enjoy working with children. I see teaching as a constant challenge that is seldom, if ever boring! Teaching introduces children to new worlds of information and opens up new possibilities daily. That is motivation in itself for me to want to be a teacher. I feel fortunate to have a job that I love! 

    I live in Lakehead, where I enjoy my home near Shasta Lake. I have one daughter, Monika, and three beautiful grandchildren, Ryan who is nineteen, Lea who is seventeen, and Cooper who will be four on August 24, 2011. Monika and her family live in Gig Harbor, Washington, where I hope to move when I retire. I have two very spoiled cats. My oldest cat, K.C., was an end of the year gift from a former student fourteen years ago! My other cat is an orange tiger-striped named Doris Day, who I also received from a former student. Doris Day was three years old in May. 

      I enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of living in the woods and watching the wonderful abundance of wildlife (deer, birds, jackrabbits, squirrels, etc.) that surround my home. I love to read and hope to instill that love in my students. I enjoy working on the computer and constantly improving my website. During the summer months I enjoy spending time visiting my family in Washington and spending time on Shasta Lake with my Lakehead friends. Of course I take the opportunity in the summer to catch up on all the books I don't have time to read during the school year. I am a big San Francisco 49er-Niner fan, so during football season I spend my Sundays watching football games and grading papers!

    I enjoy having classroom pets. Whitney, a Russian box tortoise, has been with me for nine years. In addition, I enjoy visiting our school pond and feeding the many waterfowl who call Bella Vista School their home. I am definitely an animal lover! 

    I strongly believe in establishing and maintaining good communication with parents. This fosters a positive learning atmosphere in the classroom and enhances instruction. Please feel free to call me at home 238-2221, but no later than 8:30 pm as I go to bed early! Of course you can always email me at nmanning@shastalink.k12.ca.us. I can also be reached at school at 549-4415 ext. 1244.

   Teaching is a tremendous responsibility! I have high standards for behavior and learning. Character building is a strong component in my classroom.  I try to make learning an interesting and personally rewarding experience for my students while they have fun in the process.

    Technology is big component of our classroom learning environment. Students  have the opportunity to use the computer lab weekly as well as the classroom computers. They use the computers to write, do research, and enhance curriculum. Watch for their work in the "Student Gallery" part of our classroom website.  I also use the website to communicate about upcoming events and for classroom business. 

     In addition to my teaching duties, I am Vice-President of the Bella Vista Teacher's Association. I am also in charge of school fundraising. Although I have many of extra duties, my foremost joy is in the classroom with my students!

    I  look forward another wonderful school year.

                                 Mrs.Niki Manning