About Ms. Belts

Dear 6th grade families, 

Welcome back to school! I hope everyone enjoyed our fabulous Alaskan summer. We have a lot of learning to look forward to this year. Since I am new to Roger’s Park, and many of you, I want to take this opportunity to tell you about myself. 

I grew up in Fairbanks and lived there until I left for Grinnell College in Iowa where I received a BA in English. My educational background also includes a MS in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago and varied classes taken at UAF, UAA and the University of California, Berkeley. Most recently I received my teaching certification from APU. I have been in Anchorage for ten years now (wow) and live with my husband, children and our Samoyed, Kobuk. I enjoy getting outside year round. My favorite outdoor activities include cross country skiing, hiking and camping. I also enjoy reading, writing,  traveling and volunteering for the issues I care about. 

I am very excited about teaching and guiding the 6th graders this year as well as helping out class be adequately prepared to excel in the 7th grade. I have high expectations for my students and expect them to challenge themselves in our classroom I also expect students to be respectful to me and other students at all times. We are a classroom of learners and teachers. Every single student has skills, interests and knowledge to share. 

I look forward to getting to know your students and assisting him/her with personal learning goals and passion projects. My assessment style is portfolio and project based. That said, we will also have tests and quizzes regularly. We will be improving our test-taking and study skills throughout the year. We will also have many opportunities to use technology, have discussions, perform in plays, publish writing through writing workshop and conduct science experiments. 

As I believe we are all a part of your student’s educational success. Please feel free to email me with questions, concerns or anything else that comes up this year. Here’s to a great school year!! 

Cheers, 

Ms. Belts