Theresa Galatas

WELCOME

August 2017

My name is Mrs. Theresa Galatas.  This will by my 20th year in the teaching profession.  I am a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University.  I started my teaching career in St. Charles Parish where I taught first grade and Reading Recovery.  My focus was to help struggling readers reach grade level expectations or higher. My family and I moved to the Paulina area in 2006.  I started teaching here at Paulina Elementary in August of 2008. I am married with two girls.  Marissa is in 11th grade at Lutcher High School, and she is a Varsity Cheerleader.  Katie is in 7th grade at Lutcher, and she is a Middle School Cheerleader.

I want to welcome your child to our 1st grade classroom.  I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding year. In addition to typical school requirements, a day for your child will include small group instruction in reading and math. During this time students will participate in a variety of work stations.  Reading work stations will consist of working on writing, working on words,  reading to self or a buddy, and listening to reading.  During math, students will work in stations that consist of “hands on” activities that reinforce skills that have been taught in class.  Students will have access to ipads and computers that they will use both in reading and math to help reinforce skills taught.  Since I feel that school is so much more than academics, I always strive to create a fun classroom environment where students feel respected, accepted, and important.  I also encourage students to take ownership of their actions and behavior, develop positive character traits, and use their individual interests as means for greater learning.

Your child deserves a positive and encouraging educational climate! Our school has developed a School-Wide Discipline Plan that gives every student the opportunity to manage his/her own behavior. In the classroom, I use positive reinforcement, verbal praise, and a Daily & Weekly Reward System to encourage good behavior.  However, there will be consequences for students who disrupt our classroom or refuse to work.  Your child will be informed of classroom procedures and school rules. You will be notified daily of your child's behavior and weekly of your child’s academic progress. Behavior cards will be sent home everyday in your child’s homework folder.  Please make sure you check for this card, initial, and return in folder the next day.  I believe in Teacher-Parent communication!  It is very critical to your child's success!

Look for up coming letters in your child's homework folder that will explain test folders, homework folders, etc.

Please feel free to contact me through notes, the school office (225-258-4700), or my e-mail ([email protected]). If you need to see me in person, please contact the office for an appointment.