My educational experiences began at Oak Hall Episcopal School in 1995 with Mrs. Wallis as her Kindergarten assistant. I feel blessed for the opportunity I had to be mentored by Mrs. Wallis for the seven years I spent here. I graduated from East Central University in 2005 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and an endorsement in Elementary Education. In 2005, I began teaching at Plainview Elementary School. During my 11 years at Plainview, I earned my National Board Certification (2010), Great Expectation teacher 2005-2017, and Cornerstone Recipient 2008 and 20011. I joined the Oak Hall family in 2017 as the Second Grade teacher.
I have been married to Garry Bartgis since 1981, and we have two sons Derek and Laramie Bartgis. We are members of Christ Community Church.
Children need role models who can share their love of learning, and their enthusiasm for exploration and discovery. I believe that my role as an educator is to nurture, mentor, and minister to children. I want to be a part of creating and supporting an environment that allows this to happen each and every day.
Children should be taught, along with basic curriculum, life skills such as critical thinking, information gathering /processing, and problem-solving to prepare them for future educational experiences. I recognize the uniqueness of every child and encourage the student to identify and appreciate his/her own special gifts. I believe that it is important to provide a well-rounded, value-centered education that effectively balances academics with experiences designed to broaden students’ knowledge of themselves and today’s world.
I can’t wait to spend this year learning and growing with your children.