About Ms. Whyte

I thought it would be interesting to include a little bit about myself on this page.
It is not uncommon for a parent to tell me they didn't know this or that about me, so here is your chance to learn a little about me!

Click to Learn All About Miss Eng

I have taught at Woodlin Elementary for 8 years. I started off by teaching fourth grade for one year, then moved to second grade for 6 years, and I am now teaching my first year in kindergarten. I grew up in Montgomery County and attended Bannockburn Elementary, Pyle Middle, and Walt Whitman High School. I attended the University of Richmond for my undergraduate career and participated on the Women's Varsity Swimming Team for 3 years and Women's Varsity Golf Team during my senior year. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2002 with a BA in Elementary Education and Studio Art.

In 2006, I became the Woodlin Elementary Webmaster and redesigned the school site to better meet the needs of our students, parents, and community members. Visit our school site at: Woodlin Elementary School. I also have become the webmaster for Creative Video of Washington a video production company in Tysons Corner. I have also started a small business designing webpages for companies. If you need help with your own website please visit Whyte's Web Design.

During the Spring of 2007, I began graduate school at John's Hopkins University to pursue a masters degree in Information Technology for Educators. I have been learning about technology in education and the significant impact technology plays in improving a child's learning. When you come into our room you will quickly notice I have 4 computers (2 iMacs and 2 Dells) that help me to incorporate technology into the classroom. I will be graduating JHU in December 2009.

For many summers, I have coached the Columbia Country Club swimming team with over 150 swimmers but right now I have taken a break from coaching while I finish my masters degree. During the winter, I am a Professional Ski Instructor and teach skiing and snowboarding to teenagers on the weekends. If you would like more information about skiing opportunities, please visit TASC for Teens.

As you can tell I'm very active and busy person outside of school. In my spare time, I like to read, scrapbook, exercise, go to the movies, and dine out. I have a wonderful family, both my mother and father still live in the DC metro area and my brother, Kyle, just graduated from SUNY-Maritime College in New York and spends much of his year sailing on cargo ships around the world. One of my greatest joys is reading and instilling the love of reading in your children. It is my hope that every child leaves my classroom with an amazing excitement for reading.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Color~ Aqua
Beverage~ Diet Coke and Iced Tea
Things I Collect~ Rubber ducks (Please don't laugh!)
Song~ Breahe by Faith Hill
Season~ Summer & Winter (it's a tie!!)
Holiday~ 4th of July (I love watching fireworks!)
TV Show~ LOST
Kids Show ~ Veggie Tales
Scent~ fresh flowers
Flower~ Lillies
Snack~Goldfish crackers, Chex mix, popcorn
Food/Restaurant~ Cheesecake Factory (yummy!)
Books for Kids~ Books by Tomie DePaola, Patricia Polacco, Helen Lester, or Kevin Hinkes
Candy~ M&M's, Snickers, Twizzlers & Jolly Ranchers
Sport~ Football, swimming, & skiing
Sports Team~ Washington Redskins!
School Subject~ Science

Accomplishments/Awards:

View Awards I have recieved for my Class Website from 2005-2009

2007-2008 Nominee for the MCPS Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award

2008 Woodlin ES Website voted into Top 5 MCPS Elementary School Websites

2007-2008 Montgomery County Public School Mentor to First Year Teachers

2009, 2007 & 2006 Certificate of Merritt for Mentoring the UMD Early Childhood Student Teaching Program

2006 Nominated for recognition in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2006"

2005 Achieved certification as a "highly qualified" teacher according to NCLB standards.

2002 Washington Post Kids Toy Testers: Miss Whyte's 4th Grade Class, Woodlin ES

Favorite Quotes:

"Computers will never replace teachers, but teachers who use computers will replace teachers who do not." ~Unknown

“Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading...is good for him.” -Maya Angelou

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the srt of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . . . . but the world maybe different because I was important in the life of a child." ~Unknown

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." ~ William Ward

Ms. Whyte's Philosophy

The teacher that I strive to be teaches with wisdom, creativity, and love.

With wisdom, May I look to the future and see the effect that my teaching will have on these children, and thus adapt my methods to fit the needs of each.

With creativity, May I prepare new and interesting projects that can challenge my students, and expand their minds to set higher goals and dream greater dreams.

With love, May I praise my students efforts, acknowledge my students achievements, and encourage them to get up and go on even when they fall.

I believe that to be a good educator, it is my responsibility to teach each child to go as far as he or she is capable of going. It is my responsibility to accurately assess each child, so that I may teach to that child's strengths and be aware of his/her weaknesses. I always try to create a positive and creative learning environment with cooperative learning experiences and hands-on activities. I believe that learning should also be fun! I believe students should use technology, especially computers, a regular part of their day and I try to provide them with opportunities to apply their knowledge of technology. As I guide each child through their journey in second grade I care for and love each child as if they were each my own and try to bring the most out of their learning experience. I am so glad that I am your child's teacher!