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About Me
Hello! My name is Caitlin Donnelly. While it's important for you to know me as an educator, I also want to share a little bit more about myself.
Background
I am originally from Flint, Michigan and I moved to the Lansing area when I started attending Michigan State University (Go Green!). I am the middle of three children and have a very large extended family.
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In June of 2018, I married my husband, Darren. His family has been like my family for the past ten years. We have three dogs and a cat to fill our home.
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Some of my favorite things include eating pizza, watching YouTube, and dancing. I love the color purple and giraffes are my absolute favorite animal! I'm not an avid reader (because I don't have much free time), but my favorite series is Anne of Green Gables. My fourth grade teacher read it to us and I have been absolutely hooked ever since.
Above: My dogs Olive (left) and Pavel (right)
Right: My dog Elara and cat Rhea
My Family: (back) Josh, Matthew (brother), Darren (husband), Mike (dad)
(front) Me, Sarah (sister), Lisa (mom)
My Family-In-Law: (left to right) Kylie (sister-in-law), Mike (father-in-law), me, Darren (husband), Sherrie (mother-in law), Ricky (nephew), Ricky (brother-in-law)
Education
I graduated high school from Kearsley in Genesee Township. I was fortunate enough to be accepted at Michigan State University (MSU) where I completed my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. I was part of the Urban Educators Cohort Program. It was in this program that I decided to become a teacher in urban school districts because that is where I feel I am needed most.
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Once I finished my undergraduate degree, I completed a full school year internship at Attwood Elementary School in the Lansing School District. It was there that I taught my first group of fifth graders and where I currently still teach.
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After getting the first few years of teaching under my belt, I decided to pursue a master's degree in Educational Technology at MSU. This portfolio is the final product of my time in this program.
Me and my husband graduating high school
Completing my internship
Me and my husband graduating from MSU
Teaching
Becoming a teacher is something I have always wanted to do ever since I can remember. I know this is cliche, but it' true.
I have an aunt who is a teacher and she spent time with me to teach me how to read. She made me want to pay it forward to someone else some day.
My fourth grade teacher went out of her way to help me catch up to the rest of the class when I moved to public schools and was almost two years behind in math. She supported me and even allowed me to come back to her classroom for a job shadow day when I was a senior in high school.
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Because I had such supportive teachers around me as I grew up, I knew this was going to be my career.
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Teaching in an urban district can be extremely challenging, but at the end of the day, I know I am helping those students. I believe in the power of relationships and helping my students navigate through changes in their lives. Yes, I teach them curriculum, but I also teach them how to interact with each other and how to manage their own emotions. I love my students and I make sure to tell them I care and see each one of them each day. This could be as simple as a hello in the morning or a high five, hug, or fist bump as they leave the school.
These are both pictures of me with my students
Miscellaneous
Here are just a few more things to help you get to know me even better!
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I have been a dancer since the age of 3. While I don't currently dance, I am hoping to get back into it. At MSU, I was the president and founder of a dance club called Mix It Up! Dance Club that provided a space for anyone interested in dance. We were able to put on a recital at the end of each year and participate in the MSU homecoming parade for several years. I also started a dance group at my school in the 2018-2019 school year and hope to be able to bring it back.
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I love to do arts and crafts and even made a lot of the smaller things for my wedding on my own. I paint, scrapbook, and occasionally draw.
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I love to travel and I plan to do much more of it once I am finished pursuing my graduate degree. I have been to several states as well as Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas.
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I became an aunt in August 2017 and I LOVE spending time with my nephew. Family time is very important to me and I can't wait to see what other adventures I can go on with my family and friends!
Me and the VP of our dance club at MSU right after our last recital
Me and my husband zip lining in Mexico for our honeymoon
Me and my husband with our nephew on his 2nd birthday