Welcome!

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

Welcome back to Archway Arete Fifth Grade! I look forward to meeting you and your fifth grader at Meet the Teacher tomorrow night.  Families with the last name beginning A-M, should come from 5:30-6:30 pm and families with a last name beginning N-Z, from 6:30-7:30 pm.

Students should bring all school supplies to this event. There will be limited parking on campus, though, overflow parking will be available in the shopping center across Baseline Road, and next door at CarLife after 6:00. The Archway building is the westernmost building on campus, and the entrance is on the west side.

I want to first thank you for the privilege of teaching your students.  As a parent myself, I know how important a teacher is in the life of a child. I am very excited for this second year at Arete.  I was honored to be a member of the first year staff and could not have asked for a more thoughtful and kind group of parents and colleagues. 

I started my teaching career in 2000 in the Kansas City area where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Emporia State University.  I taught fourth grade for four years and then had the opportunity to stay home with my children.  In the interim I practiced a different type of teaching, working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor.  However, my love of children and education drew me back to my first calling.

I married my husband, Shawn in 2001 and we have three children, Maya, 12; Isaiah, 10; and Will, 7.  After living in Overland Park, Kansas for almost twenty years, our family moved to Phoenix in 2010 and made our home in Ahwatukee.

When I'm not working I stay active; running, teaching yoga, and any other type of fitness activity!  I love to read and discuss literature with my book club and we are active in our church community.  We spend lots of time carting kids to baseball, basketball, football, and dance. 

This year your fifth grader will continue to learn and grow as a scholar and leader.  In Literature we will continue to study the great books, beginning with Voyage of the Dawn Treader (please keep the remainder of the Classics to Keep collection at home until needed).  In Science we will delve deep into the human body systems and in History we will explore the way our civilization has evolved.  In Math problem solving skills will be developed further using Singapore strategies.  

Teaching is my passion, and I am so honored to be a part of Great Hearts Academy.  I look forward to a fruitful and passion filled year with you and your child!

Sincerely,

Shauna Anderson

Hello, friends!

My name is Michelle Porcelli and I am thrilled to serve as Ms. Anderson's apprentice teacher for the 2015-2016 school year. The Great Hearts mission and curriculum inspired me to travel quite a long way to join your scholars at Archway Arete. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. Before heading out to college I developed a passion for cinema and enjoyed working for a children's film festival and film camp. Over my college years I presided over the campus yoga club and served as an apprentice to a Pilates instructor and studio owner. Most recently I served as a learning assistant and research assistant for the Physics Education Research Group at the University of Maryland. The insights I gained from this experience lead me to realize the might of the Great Hearts curriculum. I am grateful to work here at Archway Arete in an academic program I believe in and with colleagues that inspire me. Moreover, I am excited to learn and to celebrate learning with your young scholars!

Sincerely,

Michelle Porcelli