Grade/school: Kindergarten, Cardinal Elementary, Brownsburg.

Number of years teaching: First year.

Work e-mail: hbarger@brownsburg .k12.in.us.

Background/schooling: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Ball State University, 2006; Carmel High School, 2001.

Why did you become a teacher? I have always loved working with children and knew from a young age that teaching would be the perfect profession for me. In recent years, I have spoken to some of my elementary teachers and told them that I accomplished my goal and am now a teacher. My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Janet Howe from Carmel Elementary, told me that when I was in her class, I said that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I guess I knew even at age 6. Another teacher that influenced my decision was Mrs. Lori Fowler, my second-grade teacher. She was young and fun, and I loved being in her class. I wanted to be just like her. My student teaching mentor, Mrs. Cindy McGuire from Forest Dale Elementary in Carmel, helped me seal the deal on my decision. She was the best mentor, had great advice and let me try new things with her students.

What goals do you have for your students? The number one goal I have for my students is being prepared for first grade by the end of May. We take this goal one step at a time by learning many things throughout the year. A few of the goals I make for my students are learning to read; writing their first and last name; understanding concepts of print; learning rhyming words; recognizing and writing uppercase and lowercase letters; learning letter sounds; beginning to understand character and setting of a story; reading simple sentences and sight words; recognizing and writing numbers to 100; counting to 100; counting objects to 20; and making patterns.

What do you encourage parents to do at home to help their children strengthen particular skills? I send home an electronic newsletter each week to parents. In this newsletter are several suggestions of things to help their child at home. Parental involvement in a child’s education is of the utmost importance.

Name your favorite movie. “The Sound of Music.”

Name your favorite musician or band. There are so many excellent musicians to pick from. I enjoy many types of music.

What’s something your students might not know about you? I competed in a pass, run, catch contest at the RCA Dome twice during halftime at two different Indianapolis Colts games several years ago.