Welcome!

Greetings 5B Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Fifth Grade! I am so excited you are joining my class this school year. As a Great Hearts teacher my classroom culture is joyful and dedicated to virtue, and academic rigor. We will spend time reading imaginative and awe-inspiring literature, discussing deep questions, and persevering through challenges. I look forward to watching your students grow into virtuous leaders and lovers of learning who enthusiastically embrace the good, true, and beautiful. 

This will be my third year teaching at Arete. In addition to my time working with fourth graders, I received a Bachelors Degree with High Distinction from the University of Virginia. At the University, I double majored in Religious Studies, focusing on Christianity and Islam, and in Italian Studies. It was through the Religious Studies Department that I participated in the Distinguished Majors Program, in which I wrote a research thesis on pneumatology in early Syriac baptismal liturgy. At the University, I also worked closely under Dr. Vigen Guroian, a Children’s Literature consultant for Great Hearts Academies, who personally recommended me for my position at Archway. Moving to Arizona to teach at Archway Arete was the best decision of my life. It was here that I met my husband and found a wonderful community of friends and family. When I am not teaching, my husband and I love going Diamondbacks and Suns games and we are especially excited to be attending the NCAA finals next year here in Phoenix. We also love hiking when the weather is cool, visiting the Gilbert Farmer’s Market, and catching the latest blockbuster. We have a dog named Coco who loves to go on adventures with us all over town. I can’t wait to begin this school year, and to get to know all of you!

Throughout the year, I hope that we will stay in close contact in order to best care for your child. You can reach me easily through email at lprestipino@archwayarete.org. Additionally, I will maintain a classroom blog (stapleton5b.blogspot.com) where you can find information about upcoming tests and classroom events. I recommend you use the “follow my blog” widget on the right side bar so that you receive an email when the blog is updated. I look forward to getting to know you and your child at Meet the Teacher night this Thursday.

Respectfully yours,

Mrs. Stapleton

Greetings,

           

My name is Jared Holmberg and I am Mrs. Stapleton’s 5^th Grade Teaching Assistant. I am so excited to meet you this evening, as I am here to help Mrs. Stapleton give your child the best education they can receive. I am truly honored to have the privilege of investing my resources into your child’s education. I anticipate that we’ll have a marvelous year together!

           

I hope to meet you tonight, but before then, I want to provide you with a short description of who I am. For the last five years, I have been a student athlete at Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI). During my time at Cornerstone, I studied history and literature and competed on nationally ranked Cross Country and Track and Field teams. The last 5 years have been a period of excellent growth in my life where I have acquired a deep passion for those disciplines and athletics. During that time, I have also gained a love for recreational activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and travelling.

           

My previous experience in teaching involves teacher-assisting College World History courses along with Children and College ministries. I can’t wait to bring my experience and passions in to the classroom to inspire your child with a sense of wonder and depth of inquiry.

My best to you,

Jared Holmberg