It's nice to meet you!
I am a mother of three at home but your child's biggest fan in the classroom. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I'm always a call or click away!
Meet Mrs. Heynen
My name is Christie Heynen and I am originally from Gaithersburg, MD. In 2006, my husband and I moved to Wake Forest, NC and we love the sense of community, faith, and family that this area boasts. In 2015, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in reading, from East Carolina University. In 2018, I earned a Master's in Reading Education with a certification in AIG education at ECU. This is my sixth year teaching kindergarten at SCE and I previously taught second grade for six months at Rolesville E.S. As a family, we like to spend a lot of time together exploring the outdoors, participating in sports, and vacationing to the beach. My family is my world but my heart has plenty of space for your children, too!
Degrees
Bachelor in Science in Elementary Education, East Carolina University 2015
Master of Arts in Reading Education, East Carolina University 2018
Licensures & Certifications
K-5 NC Teaching License
Reading Certification
AIG Certification
Degrees
Bachelor in Science in Elementary Education, East Carolina University 2015
Master of Arts in Reading Education, East Carolina University 2018
Licensures & Certifications
K-5 NC Teaching License
Reading Certification
AIG Certification
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that a teacher's role has changed significantly since I was a young student. Gone are the days when a teacher stands at the front of a chalkboard lecturing, expecting students to repeat facts and trivia. Today's classrooms are full of collaborative workspaces, exploration centers, writing and reading workshops, technology and literature. My students are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get involved in their own learning.
During my schooling at ECU, I had ideas and beliefs about the type of teacher I would be and the type of classroom I would create. Then I learned that there's a name for these beliefs -- The Constructivist Theory. This educational theory focuses on encouraging a child's learning when they interact with their environment. Learning is an active process in which students are the primary participants, engaging in their social and cognitive experiences. Students are members of a community of learners, yet they are responsible for the development of their own understanding and meaning.
The teacher's role is that of coach, guiding students to discovery rather than the role of information provider through lectures and direct instruction. Teachers must create a respectful environment, develop instruction and guide students to experiment, cooperate, ask questions and solve problems to connect their own learning as it relates to their own experiences. The teacher also releases a lot of responsibility to the students, facilitates class discussions, asks open-ended questions and promotes group collaboration. This social interaction allows students to build on each other's ideas while personalizing their own understanding in a safe, accpeting and respectful classroom environment.
In my classroom, your children will be members of a fun and fair learning community. We will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study to learn by doing, make content relevant and prepare your children for endless success in their future!
During my schooling at ECU, I had ideas and beliefs about the type of teacher I would be and the type of classroom I would create. Then I learned that there's a name for these beliefs -- The Constructivist Theory. This educational theory focuses on encouraging a child's learning when they interact with their environment. Learning is an active process in which students are the primary participants, engaging in their social and cognitive experiences. Students are members of a community of learners, yet they are responsible for the development of their own understanding and meaning.
The teacher's role is that of coach, guiding students to discovery rather than the role of information provider through lectures and direct instruction. Teachers must create a respectful environment, develop instruction and guide students to experiment, cooperate, ask questions and solve problems to connect their own learning as it relates to their own experiences. The teacher also releases a lot of responsibility to the students, facilitates class discussions, asks open-ended questions and promotes group collaboration. This social interaction allows students to build on each other's ideas while personalizing their own understanding in a safe, accpeting and respectful classroom environment.
In my classroom, your children will be members of a fun and fair learning community. We will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study to learn by doing, make content relevant and prepare your children for endless success in their future!
What is the Constructivist Theory?
Below is a video that I feel provides a comprehensive story about why and how I teach. I watched this video in an required Informative Writing class as student yet to declare a major. While watching the video, I felt encouraged and empowered to take part in changing public education. Thus, launching me on my journey to become a teacher.