Who am I...the longer version
When I'm not at school I can be found out and about with my own two girls and wonderful husband. We love living in Upton and we're thankful that our girls will attend school at Memorial and Miscoe Hill this year. Riley is 11 and Carly is almost 7. together ...along with our cat Jimmy, they keep my husband Brad and I very busy. As a family we travel several times a year to Florida and Myrtle Beach, SC to see our families. Brad and I are fortunate to have both our parents living in great destination locations, we take advantage of the opportunity to see them whenever possible. Thank goodness our girls are great travelers. When we're not traveling I enjoy being outside and playing sports with my girls, playing golf with my husband, and cooking!
I grew up playing sports all my life and although I wasn't an olympic athlete, I learned a lot of life lessons on and off the field. First of all, Hard Work...pays off. Second, communication and teamwork are synonymous with success. Third...Winners never quit and quitters never win. Finally...Have fun, life is too short! From 1998-2005 I coached the Varsity Field Hockey team at Nipmuc Regional High School. When my daughter Riley started walking I decided it was time to leave coaching. I truly miss coaching field hockey, but I feel that teaching is just like coaching. I coach students in the sport of academics, I train their brain. Just as in coaching, I try to motivate my students to give it their all and to play like a team with their classmates. They learn that we all have strengths and areas of challenge. Just as in sports, students need to practice, practice, practice, and build their stamina in order to gain confidence in themselves as a learner.
My calling to this esteemed profession came from not only my former coaches, but the inspirational teachers I had throughout my childhood. Having grown up in Mendon, I'm an alumnus to the M.U.R.S.D. Mrs. Naomi Howarth, Mr. Daniel Malloy, Mrs. Diane Grant, Mr. Michael Clements, Mrs Mary Hurlburt, and Mr. Robert Smith are only a few of the MANY teachers over the years who've molded me into what I am today. I have fond memories of being welcomed, supported, and inspired by each one of these former teachers. That is exactly what I hope to do with your child this year.
Let's not forget the most influential teachers of all, my family! Patience, creativity, and a solid work ethic are three qualities I learned from my family. My older sister Debbie was extremely patient and influenced my passion for reading. In middle school I didn't enjoy reading or sitting still for that matter. My sister would lay with me on my bed at night and read aloud my assigned readings as I followed along. Together we discussed the stories in great detail and in doing so she instilled a love and passion for reading aloud that I still have today! Fran Quinlan, my mom, is probably the most creative person I know. She has a knack for organizing, decorating, and turning "nothing into something". She was doing DIY projects over 4 decades ago. Yes, even before Pinterest! I love decorating my classroom and making it a fun place to be, just as my mom did with our house growing up. Last, but certainly not least, my dad Richard Quinlan. He instilled his strong work ethic, he never sat idle, always working and providing for us. I am so lucky to have grown up with such a supportive and hard working family.
I love antiques! Our old farmhouse is filled with many family pieces that have been handed down to Brad and I. I love how antiques are not perfect, they may have some spots that appear blemished at first glance, but once buffed and polished they show the true beauty that lies beneath the surface. Each piece has it's own story and that's what makes them unique. When treated right and handled with care they will last forever, their beauty will shine through, and together they make our house a home.
My classroom is like my 2nd home. My students are the "antiques" that fill the room. Each one of them is unique, once buffed and polished you'll see the true potential that lies beneath the surface. Each one has it's own special story, if handled with care and treated right, their inner beauty will shine through and together they make our classroom a home away from home.
Thank you for allowing me to work with your child this year.
I grew up playing sports all my life and although I wasn't an olympic athlete, I learned a lot of life lessons on and off the field. First of all, Hard Work...pays off. Second, communication and teamwork are synonymous with success. Third...Winners never quit and quitters never win. Finally...Have fun, life is too short! From 1998-2005 I coached the Varsity Field Hockey team at Nipmuc Regional High School. When my daughter Riley started walking I decided it was time to leave coaching. I truly miss coaching field hockey, but I feel that teaching is just like coaching. I coach students in the sport of academics, I train their brain. Just as in coaching, I try to motivate my students to give it their all and to play like a team with their classmates. They learn that we all have strengths and areas of challenge. Just as in sports, students need to practice, practice, practice, and build their stamina in order to gain confidence in themselves as a learner.
My calling to this esteemed profession came from not only my former coaches, but the inspirational teachers I had throughout my childhood. Having grown up in Mendon, I'm an alumnus to the M.U.R.S.D. Mrs. Naomi Howarth, Mr. Daniel Malloy, Mrs. Diane Grant, Mr. Michael Clements, Mrs Mary Hurlburt, and Mr. Robert Smith are only a few of the MANY teachers over the years who've molded me into what I am today. I have fond memories of being welcomed, supported, and inspired by each one of these former teachers. That is exactly what I hope to do with your child this year.
Let's not forget the most influential teachers of all, my family! Patience, creativity, and a solid work ethic are three qualities I learned from my family. My older sister Debbie was extremely patient and influenced my passion for reading. In middle school I didn't enjoy reading or sitting still for that matter. My sister would lay with me on my bed at night and read aloud my assigned readings as I followed along. Together we discussed the stories in great detail and in doing so she instilled a love and passion for reading aloud that I still have today! Fran Quinlan, my mom, is probably the most creative person I know. She has a knack for organizing, decorating, and turning "nothing into something". She was doing DIY projects over 4 decades ago. Yes, even before Pinterest! I love decorating my classroom and making it a fun place to be, just as my mom did with our house growing up. Last, but certainly not least, my dad Richard Quinlan. He instilled his strong work ethic, he never sat idle, always working and providing for us. I am so lucky to have grown up with such a supportive and hard working family.
I love antiques! Our old farmhouse is filled with many family pieces that have been handed down to Brad and I. I love how antiques are not perfect, they may have some spots that appear blemished at first glance, but once buffed and polished they show the true beauty that lies beneath the surface. Each piece has it's own story and that's what makes them unique. When treated right and handled with care they will last forever, their beauty will shine through, and together they make our house a home.
My classroom is like my 2nd home. My students are the "antiques" that fill the room. Each one of them is unique, once buffed and polished you'll see the true potential that lies beneath the surface. Each one has it's own special story, if handled with care and treated right, their inner beauty will shine through and together they make our classroom a home away from home.
Thank you for allowing me to work with your child this year.