My name is Mrs. Wolfinbarger and I teach fourth grade. As an elementary classroom teacher, I believe that it is important to help give students the necessary skills needed to prepare them for real life situations. In my classroom, I teach language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. I include fine arts, performing arts, physical education, health, character building, technology, cultural studies and current events in my curriculum. I feel that students need to be enriched with areas that will enhance their well being and thinking skills. In my classroom, I challenge my students on a regular basis. I provide many problem-solving situations and allow for every student to succeed.

I encourage cooperative work to aid my students in working together and to help them verbalize their process. I provide manipulatives to allow for hands-on experimenting. I accept and encourage a variety of answers by the students and provide many opportunities for my students to explore. I feel that children need to be empowered to realize that they can make a difference. They need to be motivated by teachers to think beyond the norm. They need to be challenged to make personal decisions. And most of all, they need to be taught how to positively communicate their ideas. I have high expectations for all my students. I frequently enforce the fact that by trying and thinking, they can do anything and I do believe that it's true!

While graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, I started working in the business industry in the field of Human Resources. In 1998 I obtained my Teaching Credential from Cal Poly Pomona and started my first position as a third grade teacher. While I have also worked as a first grade teacher, I LOVE fourth grade!!! In 2004 I received my Master's Degree in Reading from Cal State Fullerton. Professionally, I have been involved in many projects working with the California Reading and Literature Project, California Reading Association, the San Gabriel Valley California Mathematics Project, the America Reads Program, and many others. I am married with a thirteen-year old son. I live in Claremont and enjoy gardening, attending baseball games, reading and traveling. I am very happy to be teaching at Chaparral Elementary!