My name is Joan Schwarz and I have taught in St. Paul my entire career. I attended the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin, River Falls for my Bachelor of Science degree in Education. I later completed my Masters in Education at Hamline University. I love building relationships with children and enjoy helping students find their true potential. 

In 6th grade I focus on note taking and strategies to help them find success in the Middle School or Junior High setting. Four years ago St. Paul adopted AVID, a program to help students with organizational skills to promote homework completion. This program is in Saint Paul Music Academy.  It provides the students with a three ring binder, a planner, and a pencil pouch. Your child will be recording all assignments in her planner daily. Also, in this three ring binder will be a reading notebook. 

Each night your child will be expected to read a minimum of 30 minutes. In addition to reading, he or she will be asked to write about the reading.  Independent reading increases both vocabulary and increases fluency.