Mrs. Mercado's Class
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Mrs. Mercado was born in Pensacola, FL and was raised in Coral Springs, FL. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher. She was fortunate to have a family that stressed the importance of education and spent her childhood playing teacher with her younger brother Jason. Mrs. Mercado participated in the Future Florida Educators of America program at her high school and graduated in the honors program. Mrs. Mercado then graduated with honors with her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from The University of West Florida in 2003. She began her teaching career at Bagdad Elementary School in Bagdad, FL. Mrs. Mercado has been teaching in the Metro Atlanta area for 19 years. Fourteen years ago Mrs. Mercado met the love of her life and married Juan Mercado. She lives with her husband and puppies “Chewy” and “Bella” in McDonough, GA. Mrs. Mercado obtained her Master's degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University in 2006 and her Gifted Education endorsement in 2011.
Mrs. Mercado has enjoyed several professional accolades. She was Henry County's Innovative Teacher for 2018. She has presented about her love of teaching through technology and fine arts integration at several national teaching conferences (NAESP, GaETC, and ISTE).
Mrs. Mercado loves to read. Her students will tell you that "Mrs. Mercado has a lot of favorite books". She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Mercado taught at the fine arts magnet school in Jonesboro, GA for 7 years and joined the Unity Grove family 9 years ago. She looks forward to building lasting relationships with her students and their families.
Mrs. Mercado's Educational Philosophy
I believe the children are our future...
I believe each and every child has the potential to bring something unique and special to the world. I will help children to develop their potential by believing in them as capable individuals. I will assist children in discovering who they are, so they can express their own opinions and nurture their own ideas. I have a vision of a world where people learn to respect, accept, and embrace the differences between us, as the core of what makes life so fascinating.
Teach them well and let them lead the way...
Every classroom presents a unique community of learners that varies not only in abilities, but also in learning styles. My role as a teacher is to give children the tools with which to cultivate their own gardens of knowledge. To accomplish this goal, I will teach to the needs of each child so that all learners can feel capable and successful. I will present curriculum that involves the interests of the children and makes learning relevant to life. I will incorporate themes, integrated units, projects, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. Finally, I will tie learning into the world community to help children become caring and active members of society.
Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride...
My classroom will be a caring, safe, and equitable environment where each child can blossom and grow. I will allow children to become responsible members of our classroom community by using strategies such as class meetings, positive discipline, and democratic principles. In showing children how to become responsible for themselves as well as their own learning, I am giving them the tools to become successful in life, to believe in themselves, and to love themselves.
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be...
Teaching is a lifelong learning process of learning about new philosophies and new strategies, learning from the parents and community, learning from colleagues, and especially learning from the children. Children have taught me to open my mind and my heart to the joys, the innocence, and the diversity of ideas in the world. Because of this, I will never forget how to smile with the new, cherish the old, and laugh with the children.