Meet Ms. Griffin
Born and raised right outside our Nation's capitol, I attended a private school growing up. I played lacrosse, field hockey and ran track in high school. I was a member of the Spanish and art club, and the National Honor Society. I graduated with high honors and lettered in Academics and Athletics.
After applying to many Education Schools on the east coast I decided that the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Watson School of Education was the best place for me to study education. I moved to Wilmington, N.C. in the fall of 2007. The next four years were filled with memorable experiences as I studied to become an educator and child psychologist. I had the opportunity to work closely with the Ronald McDonald House of Greenville, N.C. as a member of a sorority, as well as with the Children's Museum in downtown Wilmington. I volunteered weekly as a tutor at The Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter in Wilmington, N.C. and tutored local 3rd-5th grade students in reading and math twice a week. I completed my internships in Kindergarten at Pine Valley Elementary and in a 5th grade classroom at Eaton Elementary School in Wilmington, N.C. I also tutored students at Eaton in geometry after school and had the opportunity to participate in a faculty book study on "The Daily 5" by Gail Boushey, a book that is rapidly becoming a solid foundation for elementary schools literacy programs. Prior to completing my internship I had volunteered, observed and completed part-time internships in 5 different grade levels at 6 different public elementary schools totaling 200+ classroom hours. During my last semester of college I was asked by a professor to partner in completing a study on the use of virtual reality in science and mathematics instruction in K-12 education. Our research and findings were published in an issue of Journal of Curriculum Instruction (JOCI).
Parker, M.A. & Griffin, T. Use of Virtual Reality in Science and Mathematics Instruction in K-12 Education: Journal of Curriculum and Instructions (2010)
As a senior at UNCW I applied for acceptance into a Global Internship program that the university offered. I was accepted and was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to spend my spring semester senior year in San Pedro, Belize as a 3rd grade teacher. There I was a 3rd grade teacher to 37 students. Although English is the primary spoken language, Spanish was very prominent. I quickly brushed up on my Spanish skills and enjoyed every minute of my time in San Pedro. I taught at the local public school: San Pedro Roman Catholic School. I taught in a classroom with dirt floors that did not have electricity or running water. When I was not in the classroom teaching I spent time exploring the island and country, including ancient Mayan ruins, as well as a volunteer in a local animal shelter. I am very thankful for the education system we have in place here in the United States that does not still rely on corporal punishment as a means of behavior management.
This year will be my fourth year of teaching. At the end of my first year of teaching and the beginning of Summer 2012, I began Graduate School and worked through the next school year while teaching to complete my master's degree in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction. I was able to complete a 60+ hour program in a short 13 1/2 months. I have spent the majority of my Summers off as a teacher, teaching an Engineering program to rising 3rd-8th grades at NCState University. I love working with kids and find enjoyment in being creative and learning through design. What better way to spend part of my summer then combining the building and tinkering aspect, which inevitably require creativity and design skills, with educating kids? This past summer I participated in many K-2 workshop opportunities on Global Education, Daily 5 CAFE, and STEAM. I also spent time at the beach with family, and planning my wedding. My fiance and I are getting married on July 18, 2015.
I am 25 years old and am the middle of three girls. My parents were born and raised in the D.C. area and are middle school sweethearts! I have an older sister named Galen who is 28 and recently got married in April 2012. She lives in the D.C. Metropolitan area with my brother-in-law. I am over joyed to share that I am going to be an Aunt. I am beyond excited for my nephew to arrive in late November! I also have a 14 year old sister named Mabry. She is going into 9th grade. I frequently enjoy going home to visit my family and my future in-laws and am lucky to be able to do so often on the weekends. She is by far one of my best friends and has taught me so much about life. While some might expect that an 11 year age gap would create a sense of distance between siblings, the exact opposite has occurred. My younger sister and I iChat, Facetime, and talk on the phone on a regular basis. She is very much a good friend of mine. When I am not teaching or at home visiting family, I enjoy running, being outside, doing anything artsy that requires creativity, and laughing with friends.
As a recent student myself, I have always enjoyed those classes that had personable professors/teachers. When I felt as though I could relate to my professor or teacher, and knew about them as a person I found that my interest peeked in the class and I was able to enjoy my educational experiences more as a direct result. Below are a few "about me" facts! I look forward to getting to know you and your student and look forward to an amazing year as your child's 1st grade teacher!
About Ms. Griffin:
Full Name: Taryn Keeley Griffin
Future Name As Of 7/18/15: Mrs. Bernard
Birthday: December 19, 1988
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Anything with Pasta or a salad with fresh fruit and goat cheese!
Favorite Snack: Chick-Fil-A Lemonade and Pretzels
Favorite Ice-cream: Mint Chocolate Chip or Coffee
Favorite Candy: Haribo Gummy Bears and Sweettarts
Favorite Drink: Regular Coke (not coffee, diet coke, or pepsi)
Favorite Movie: The Blind Side
Favorite TV Channel: TLC or HGTV
Fun Fact: I can make a Donald Duck noise
After applying to many Education Schools on the east coast I decided that the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Watson School of Education was the best place for me to study education. I moved to Wilmington, N.C. in the fall of 2007. The next four years were filled with memorable experiences as I studied to become an educator and child psychologist. I had the opportunity to work closely with the Ronald McDonald House of Greenville, N.C. as a member of a sorority, as well as with the Children's Museum in downtown Wilmington. I volunteered weekly as a tutor at The Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter in Wilmington, N.C. and tutored local 3rd-5th grade students in reading and math twice a week. I completed my internships in Kindergarten at Pine Valley Elementary and in a 5th grade classroom at Eaton Elementary School in Wilmington, N.C. I also tutored students at Eaton in geometry after school and had the opportunity to participate in a faculty book study on "The Daily 5" by Gail Boushey, a book that is rapidly becoming a solid foundation for elementary schools literacy programs. Prior to completing my internship I had volunteered, observed and completed part-time internships in 5 different grade levels at 6 different public elementary schools totaling 200+ classroom hours. During my last semester of college I was asked by a professor to partner in completing a study on the use of virtual reality in science and mathematics instruction in K-12 education. Our research and findings were published in an issue of Journal of Curriculum Instruction (JOCI).
Parker, M.A. & Griffin, T. Use of Virtual Reality in Science and Mathematics Instruction in K-12 Education: Journal of Curriculum and Instructions (2010)
As a senior at UNCW I applied for acceptance into a Global Internship program that the university offered. I was accepted and was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to spend my spring semester senior year in San Pedro, Belize as a 3rd grade teacher. There I was a 3rd grade teacher to 37 students. Although English is the primary spoken language, Spanish was very prominent. I quickly brushed up on my Spanish skills and enjoyed every minute of my time in San Pedro. I taught at the local public school: San Pedro Roman Catholic School. I taught in a classroom with dirt floors that did not have electricity or running water. When I was not in the classroom teaching I spent time exploring the island and country, including ancient Mayan ruins, as well as a volunteer in a local animal shelter. I am very thankful for the education system we have in place here in the United States that does not still rely on corporal punishment as a means of behavior management.
This year will be my fourth year of teaching. At the end of my first year of teaching and the beginning of Summer 2012, I began Graduate School and worked through the next school year while teaching to complete my master's degree in Elementary Education Curriculum and Instruction. I was able to complete a 60+ hour program in a short 13 1/2 months. I have spent the majority of my Summers off as a teacher, teaching an Engineering program to rising 3rd-8th grades at NCState University. I love working with kids and find enjoyment in being creative and learning through design. What better way to spend part of my summer then combining the building and tinkering aspect, which inevitably require creativity and design skills, with educating kids? This past summer I participated in many K-2 workshop opportunities on Global Education, Daily 5 CAFE, and STEAM. I also spent time at the beach with family, and planning my wedding. My fiance and I are getting married on July 18, 2015.
I am 25 years old and am the middle of three girls. My parents were born and raised in the D.C. area and are middle school sweethearts! I have an older sister named Galen who is 28 and recently got married in April 2012. She lives in the D.C. Metropolitan area with my brother-in-law. I am over joyed to share that I am going to be an Aunt. I am beyond excited for my nephew to arrive in late November! I also have a 14 year old sister named Mabry. She is going into 9th grade. I frequently enjoy going home to visit my family and my future in-laws and am lucky to be able to do so often on the weekends. She is by far one of my best friends and has taught me so much about life. While some might expect that an 11 year age gap would create a sense of distance between siblings, the exact opposite has occurred. My younger sister and I iChat, Facetime, and talk on the phone on a regular basis. She is very much a good friend of mine. When I am not teaching or at home visiting family, I enjoy running, being outside, doing anything artsy that requires creativity, and laughing with friends.
As a recent student myself, I have always enjoyed those classes that had personable professors/teachers. When I felt as though I could relate to my professor or teacher, and knew about them as a person I found that my interest peeked in the class and I was able to enjoy my educational experiences more as a direct result. Below are a few "about me" facts! I look forward to getting to know you and your student and look forward to an amazing year as your child's 1st grade teacher!
About Ms. Griffin:
Full Name: Taryn Keeley Griffin
Future Name As Of 7/18/15: Mrs. Bernard
Birthday: December 19, 1988
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Anything with Pasta or a salad with fresh fruit and goat cheese!
Favorite Snack: Chick-Fil-A Lemonade and Pretzels
Favorite Ice-cream: Mint Chocolate Chip or Coffee
Favorite Candy: Haribo Gummy Bears and Sweettarts
Favorite Drink: Regular Coke (not coffee, diet coke, or pepsi)
Favorite Movie: The Blind Side
Favorite TV Channel: TLC or HGTV
Fun Fact: I can make a Donald Duck noise