All About Me Meet Mrs. Otis

large view Thanksgiving 2008

This will be my fourteenth year teaching at Gulf Gate Elementary School! Wow, how about that?  I have spent more than fourteen years at this great school though. I am a graduate of Gulf Gate Elementary- that's right- I am a Tiger too!  I also went to Brookside and then graduated from Riverview High School.  I graduated from the University of South Florida with my degree in elementary Education.   I started my teaching career at Emma E. Booker Elementary.  I taught first and second grade-keeping the students for both years.  When I saw that there was a first grade opening at Gulf Gate, I jumped on the chance to get back to my own elementary school.  I began looping with first and second grade here as well.  When Mrs. Dunn retired I was given the opportunity to work with Mrs. Scuilla in the Media Center.  I couldn't wait to share my love of literature with the whole school.  I studied and became a certified Media Specialist.  After four years, this is my third year back in the classroom.  I love second grade. I am looking forward to having a great year! My husband Fitz and I have been happily married for 18 years. You will recognize Fitz from many of our Gulf Gate events. He is usually the one playing the music and making announcements.    We are both very active at Gulf Gate- even though Fitz was a Wilkinson Wildcat!  We have four children.  Fitzie(17) and Sydney(14) are our own, and Terrance(22) who came to us from Emma E. Booker. We have raised him since he was six years old. Terrance is now a Senior at Florida A and M University,  Fitzie is a Senior at Riverview and Sydney is in the 9th grade at Pineview.  We have a lot of fun together.

In addition to spending time with my family, I love to read, sing and dance.  I am also a runner. After running many half-marathons, I completed many half marathons(13.1 miles). I usually run two a year. A full marathon is 26.2 miles. I have run the Disney Marathon and the Chicago Marathon.   I am planning on running in the Miami Marathon in January of next year.

Please contact me via email if you have questions or concerns about your
child. I will happily reply with whatever information I can to help your
child be successful in my class!

Mission For The Class

I believe all students can learn if given the right attitude and using hard work.  I believe in students being responsible, cooperative and respectful. I also believe in having a little fun along the way!!! Working together with parents, we can make a difference in each child's life!!

large view Fitz and Sydney fishing

large view The kids!

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