Mrs. Craig's First Grade Class

Meet Mrs. Craig

 I have been teaching in the Encinitas Union School District since 1983, and here at El Camino Creek since we opened our school in 2000.  ECC is a wonderful school with supportive, engaged parents and happy, motivated students.  There is nothing I would rather be doing with my life than teaching, and no place I’d rather do it than at ECC!  My goal is that each of my students loves coming to school each day and feels welcomed and embraced as a member of our Room 108 Family.  I want our classroom to be a place for children to meet their fullest potentials while building confidence and having fun!

 I did my undergraduate and graduate studies at UCLA, graduating with honors and earning a Masters in Public Health.  After working in the field of public health at the beginning of my career and being offered a position teaching in the Health Sciences Department at SDSU, I realized that my true calling was to teach at the elementary level, so I enrolled instead as a student to complete my teaching credential.  It’s a decision I have never regretted!  In addition to teaching my first grade students full-time, I mentored beginning teachers through the California state teacher induction program (BTSA) for seven years, and served as our district’s liaison for the program.  In that capacity I planned and provided training and professional development for both beginning and mentor teachers.  I am also a fellow with the San Diego Area Writing Project (SDAWP), the UCSD chapter of the National Writing Project.  With a passion for writing and an understanding of the confidence, skills, and creativity it can help to develop in students, I am now involved in providing professional development for teachers county-wide through the writing project.

 My three children all attended Encinitas schools, have graduated from college, and work professionally here in North County.  I’m proud that my two daughters have both chosen to follow me in the teaching profession, and take great pleasure in watching them discover the rewards that come with guiding and influencing young lives.  When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 38 years, my kids and our two fat orange cats, and reading, gardening, yoga, bike riding, traveling, entertaining family and friends, and photography.  The golden retriever on this webpage is in memory of Bruin, our third and beloved golden, who has not yet been replaced as an additional member of our family!