Ms. Bennett,  

Ms. O’Brien,

Mrs. Poynter, 

& Mrs. Weitzel

Teacher Profiles:

 Ms. Stephanie Bennett

• Graduated from University of Cincinnati in Dec. 1988
• Masters in Special Education from UC in June 2003
• Taught in Cincinnati Public Schools from 1990-2002
• Started at Whitewater Valley Elementary in Aug. 2002

Mrs. Linda Poynter

• Graduated from Miami University in May 1984
• Began teaching as Special Education Resource teacher at Miamitown Elementary in August 1984
• Moved to Whitewater Valley Elementary when school opened in 1990

Mrs. Terri Weitzel

• Began teaching at Whitewater Valley, 2003
• M.Ed. in Special Education from UC, 2002 
• BA in Child and Family Studies from TUI, 2000
• Taught in St. John’s County, Florida
• Taught in Cincinnati Public Schools

 Miss Molly O’Brien

• Graduated from Ohio University in November 2003
• Long term substitute for Oak Hills Local Schools from January 2004 to June 2004
• Started at Whitewater Valley as MH Resource Room teacher in Aug. 2004.

Homeroom News

            Please make sure to visit your child’s grade level webpage for information about his/her classroom, supply needs, and content area information.      

Grade Level Expectations

 Classroom Expectations – Consequences – Grading Scale

Homework Policy:      Learning new concepts takes a lot of time, but this is especially so when you have a learning disability.  Please be aware that homework completion is vital to your child’s success in mastering concepts.  Good study habits start early!  Let us know if you need help.

Academic Information

Weekly Newsletter Link

Language Arts:

This year we will be working with a series that brings reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and AR together.

 (Link to reading series)

Individual Education Plans (IEP)

    When your child qualifies for Special Education services, an individualized education plan will be provided for your child.  His/her needs will be assessed, and goals and objectives will be developed to guide his/her education.  You are highly encouraged to be an active participant in the process.

    A child can qualify at any time during the year.  However, we typically meet every May to review your child’s progress and plan for the following school year.

Cooking in the Classroom

 In an effort to develop future independent living skills for students with developmental and multiple learning disabilities, we plan weekly cooking lessons.  It is important to develop daily living skills related to cooking early.  It is critical that students are able to read and understand a recipe or directions on a box.  Many math concepts are involved as well.  Students work on operating common kitchen appliances and utensils.  Some of the students in the upper grades actually go to the grocery store to purchase the needed ingredients.

This learning experience is often the activity most looked forward to each week.