November Students of the Month
November Teacher of the Month
Each month VOL will be recognizing a teacher and share how they positively impact our school and students.
This month we would like to recognize elementary teacher Ms. Chalfant, she always goes above and beyond to help anyone who needs it, with a smile on her face! The VOL faculty voted her to be Teacher of the Year and represent our school this year! Enjoy getting to know Ms Chalfant….. “I am so honored to have been chosen VOL TOTY for 2022, words can’t even express my appreciation and love for you.” Philosophy of Teaching Being a teacher is what I am. Believing all students “can” is what I do. Building trust, supportive, and encouraging relationships is how I do it. Education I am a Volusia County student myself, graduating high school from Deltona High in 1993. I received my AA at Daytona Beach Community College, my BA from UCF, and my Master's from Nova Southeastern University. I have been in teaching with VOL since 2017 and previously worked for another online school for 5 years, so the transition was easy. I have taught elementary and middle school courses both in the classroom and online in all core subjects and in Computer Science and Coding, as well as Intensive Reading for grades 2-12. I have three adult children (Trevor, Saleen, and Summer), two grandchildren (Amelia 3 years old, Elijah 6 months old), and I am engaged to Chris (we are getting married next year in November)! I love spending time with my grandchildren and my family. I absolutely love teaching, but I also love learning new things about pretty much anything, and I am lucky to have the best boss ever! My favorite place (and where I live) is the BEACH, and I love Chick Fil A, Diet Coke, and dark chocolate! Written by: Dylan Simpson |
ReVOLutionary Readers
Knuffle Bunny by Mo WillemsKnuffle Bunny is written and illustrated by Caldecott honor winner, Mo Willems. This book tells the story of a little girl named Trixie and the time she spoke her first words. Trixie joins her father on an errand to the laundromat, where she loses her favorite stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. The story follows Trixie and her parents as they retrace their steps and search the city to find Knuffle Bunny. The illustrations in this book are a mix of hand-drawn ink sketches and digital photography. Young readers will enjoy the author’s use of onomatopoeia as Trixie makes her feelings known throughout the book.
Review by: John Ball |
The Wild Robot by Peter BrownThe Wild Robot is written and illustrated By Peter Brown, a best-selling author and Caldecott honor-winning illustrator. This is his first novel. The wild robot tells the story of Roz, a friendly robot who is mysteriously shipwrecked on an island of wild animals. Roz is a robot who was designed not to feel emotion, but to become a “better” robot. As Roz analyzes the island, she finds the animals share a special language that she can decode and learn. She learns that the animals have created a sophisticated community, even holding daily meetings between predators and prey to peacefully discuss island gossip. The story follows Roz as she navigates dangerous situations on the island while learning how to survive from the animals she encounters. Roz not only learns survival skills, but she also learns to make connections and understand emotions. This book is thought provoking, imaginative, and hopeful.
Review by: John Ball |