Hi and welcome to 4th grade. Thanks for taking the time to visit my webpage. The 2011-2012 school year marks my 14th year teaching at E.P. Clarke. I completed my bachelor's degree at Indiana University in Business and worked as a systems analyst for multiple companies before returning to Aquinas College for my master's degree in elementary education.

I have three children, Brian (21), Brad (19), and Laura (18), who keep me very busy.  In my spare time, I enjoy attending my children's numerous sporting activities as well as playing golf and reading.

My teaching philosophy is simple...Love it, learn it, live it! I believe all children must love to learn and then take that which they learn and apply it in their personal lives. Therefore, I strive to make my classroom fun and filled with authentic learning experiences. It is my responsibility to cultivate this "love of learning" in each and every one of my students so that they may grow not only academically but emotionally and socially as well.

My door is always open for any questions or concerns you may have. I can't stress how important it is that we work together as a team...teacher, parent, and child. In doing so, we will complete any task at hand while modeling what cooperation truly means to our children.

I anxiously look forward to meeting each and every one of you. I promise our 4th grade journey will be one you will never forget.

Sincerely,

Julie A. Sifrig