Wow! I guess it is really time to update my official Hermosa Valley School web page. It seems that I haven't done so since I was teaching 4th grade. The 2005-06 school year marks my 4th year as a 7th grade language arts teacher, and I can't imagine a better position. In addition to language arts, I currently teach the drama exploratory. It all fits together nicely because each subject emphasizes strong vocabulary choices and effective communication skills.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, I received my undergraduate degree in Social Sciences at CSU Chico and my teaching credential at CSU Sonoma. Upon relocating to southern California in 1980, I went on to earn my M. A. in Special Education. Hermosa Beach City School District has afforded me a wide variety of opportunities in the field of education. I was the District Resource Specialist and Coordinator of Student Services for many years serving the district's K-8 student population. From there I went on to earn the first tier of an Administrative Credential and worked as Teacher on Special Assignment-Assistant Principal for two years. When that position was no longer offered in the district, I returned to the classroom as a 4th grade teacher. After six years in the elementary grades, a language arts position opened up in the middle school, and I grabbed it. I have never regretted moving back into the classroom. Each day presents the opportunity to be creative and actively seek ways for children to access the information they need to succeed academically. It is the opportunity to be creative that makes teaching for more than 26 years a tremendously positive experience.

In my spare time, I look forward to traveling. In the past few years I have traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Australia. I have also spent time in Texas, a country on its own, and Arizona, where I went skydiving. When I'm not traveling, I spend time with my daughter, Anna, my friends, and my Tibetan Terrier, Harley (He could be a full-time job all by himself, but there's only so much time).

Please feel free to contact me at any time at cpoertner@hbcsd.org . You will see that my web page is STILL under construction, but it is my goal to actually create one this year. While that has been a goal before, I think I just might be ready to give it a try that is, if there is enough time.

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