Hello, JAM Families! My name is Ms. Iona, and I am excited to join the JAM Teaching and Consulting team. I am a licensed elementary teacher and a CPS substitute teacher passionate about supporting students in reading, writing, and math.

I was born in Illinois and spent my early years in the southwest suburbs before moving to Anchorage, Alaska, where I lived for twelve years. From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. My educational journey led me to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where I majored in elementary education. I was fascinated by language learning and bilingual education, so I earned an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) and plan to pursue a bilingual certification.

My professional experience includes working as a reading tutor for Chicago Public Schools and teaching third-grade math and science. I am passionate about foundational reading and writing skills, particularly phonemic awareness, and I enjoy helping students who struggle with literacy and basic math comprehension. My goal is to make learning engaging, accessible, and tailored to each student’s needs.

Outside the classroom, I love exploring new places and restaurants, spending time with family and friends, baking, and reading. I enjoy incorporating my students' interests into their learning to make lessons more meaningful and fun.

I am committed to building strong relationships with students and families and creating a supportive learning environment where every child can grow academically, emotionally, and socially. I look forward to helping students develop confidence and a love for learning!

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