Welcome to Fifth grade and a new world of imagination! 

           Welcome to an exciting year at Margaret Brent! I am so happy that you are in my class.  We are going to have a busy year filled with experiments, games, DARE, and much, much more.  We have lots of learning to do this year!  Are you ready?

            This is my second year at Margaret Brent.  I am going into my tenth year of teaching.  I have taught in Maryland (student teaching), West Virginia, Florida and Virginia with grades third through fifth.  I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from William Paterson University in New Jersey and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix. 

  I love to read!  I enjoy reading many of the Virginia Young Readers’ Choice books, professional books for work, & thriller/suspense books for pleasure.  Did you do any summer reading?  I would love to hear about the books you read.  I also love sewing, traveling, music, playing games, and spending time with family and friends!  What are your favorite things to do? 

            Our school is on a six-day schedule this year for encore classes.  Encore classes include art, music, P.E., library and computer lab.  P.E. will be twice during the six days.  Our class schedule and encore schedule will be sent home soon.  We will also be using a new app Remind.  Please sign up to receive text messages that will help to keep you informed about events in our class and school.

Parents, I truly feel that we are a team. I only have the pleasure of teaching your child for one year.  You have always been there for her/him.  We need to work together to give your child the best year yet!  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  The school number is 658-6790 and my email address is knappjj@staffordschools.net.   I will check my email daily.

 I really feel that we are all a family.  I will treat each student and his/her family members with respect, and I expect the same in return.   Welcome to our family!  I am happy that you are here!  Grab your golden ticket and let's go!

Change your mindset...

This year's focus will be placed on mindset.  As a school the staff at Margaret Brent participated in a book study on Mindset by Carol Dweck.  This book focused on the importance of mindset in learning.  As a very brief summary students who were praised for their hard work and determination showed more growth and learning progress than students who were only told they were smart.   Also, changing your words can change your attitude.  We will become a classroom who used to say "I don't get it.." to "I don't get it yet."  It changes the attitude of the learner from I can't do it to I can try it.