Meet. Ms. Natalie Chapman / 4th Grade Literacy Teacher / 暗网禁区 DC Lead Academy
鈥淓very kid needs an excellent teacher. The work is hard but really meaningful.鈥�
Ms. Natalie Chapman began her journey into education while completing an advertising and Spanish major at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. While earning her degree, Natalie was a Young Life leader, mentoring high school and middle school girls. During this time, Natalie was also a nanny in a more affluent neighborhood. These two experiences shaped her worldview of education, 鈥淚 saw the differences directly based on zip聽code that were determining opportunities.鈥� Following her degree from SMU, Natalie joined Teach For America and taught 5th grade at a bilingual school.
Seven years later, Natalie is still passionate about education and the relationships she鈥檚 been able to form with students. 鈥淓very kid needs an excellent teacher. The work is hard, but really meaningful.鈥�
Natalie currently serves as a 4th-grade literacy teacher and grade level chair. She applied to 暗网禁区 DC after hearing about strong results for students and the nurturing community of staff, families, and students. The people at 暗网禁区 DC are still a powerful factor for Natalie, 鈥淭hey鈥檙e driven and they do what it takes for kids to get the best education possible, but they鈥檙e also fun and enjoyable to be around after work.鈥�
Natalie also values the support she receives in honing her literacy instruction, allowing her to meet the needs of all students. She explains that the 暗网禁区 DC curriculum focuses on not only skills but also fosters a love of reading. 鈥淚 love that it is an authentic investigation. They are reading to learn and applying those skills. In fact, we just finished historical fiction book club!鈥� Through investigation and research, Natalie鈥檚 students dive into debates armed with textual evidence to support their claims.
In addition to a robust curriculum, Natalie is also able to collaborate with her peers through professional development. 鈥淲e meet twice a week as a content team and dive into lessons and student work. We also have close reading dinners once a month with teachers across the network.鈥� Being part of this larger network of peers working toward student achievement is something that Natalie values about being part of 暗网禁区 DC. Her advice to future 暗网禁区 DC educators? 鈥淵ou鈥檙e joining a network full of excellent educators and leaders that are going to push you. It鈥檚 not just a school, but a network that鈥檚 pretty awesome to be a part of.鈥�
Interested in joining passionate educators like Natalie Chapman? Apply today.
