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First Grade Team

Welcome to the wonderful world of First Grade!  This will be an exciting and fun-filled year for your child and we appreciate your support and trust as we begin this adventure.  We value every child and will work hard to make this year memorable and very special.We are committed to helping each student become a successful and independent learner.  We are dedicated to the education of the whole child–intellectually, socially, emotionally, culturally, and physically.  We believe that First Grade lays the foundation for a lifetime of enthusiastic learning.  We are committed to providing classrooms that are welcoming, exciting, and safe.  Our students should want to come to school each day ready to learn and our goal is to make this happen.At Nottingham, students in kindergarten and first grade have shared personalized learning Apple iPads assigned to their classroom. Through this integration, and in conjunction with staff training as part of the APS Personalized Learning Program, there are many student benefits of personalized learning, such as:- Students are challenged to think critically and use higher order level skills.- Students are more engaged in learning when they are given more opportunities to take control of their learning.- Teachers are able to offer immediate feedback so that students can make adjustments to their thinking and improve their work.- Students are exploring more creative ways to solve problems, express their ideas, generate new learning and develop skills to work as part of a team in the classroom and virtually.

First Grade Teachers

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Lia Ehrlich

My name is Lia Ehrlich and I am excited to be a part of the 1st-grade team at Nottingham! I am originally from Brewster, New York, and moved to Washington D.C. to attend college at American University. I also received a Master’s in Education Policy and Leadership Studies from AU. I have previously taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in D.C. and APS. I am a lifelong learner and I’m ready for a fantastic year of teaching and learning!

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Ava Willis

Hi! My name is Ava Willis, and I am so excited for another year in 1st grade. I graduated from Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia with my B.A. in Elementary Education and I am working on my Masters in Education Leadership at George Mason. I was born in Southern California but have spent most of my life in Falls Church. My hobbies include reading, listening to music, hanging out with my family, and coaching softball! I am looking forward to a fun filled year in 1st grade 😀

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Brooke Gavin

Hello! My name is Brooke Gavin and I am so excited to teach first grade this year! I spent 4 years teaching Kindergarten in Chattanooga, TN and one year teaching Kindergarten at Nottingham. I attended Virginia Tech for my Bachelor's Degree (go Hokies!) and Lipscomb University for my Master's Degree in Education. I love spending time with friends and family, exploring the local spots of DC, and being outside. Looking forward to another wonderful year!