Erica Nute

My philosophy of teaching is that academic understanding is within reach for every child.  Every child is different in the way he or she views the world, understands concepts, and interprets what information is given.  It is my job to determine the best way to convey that information to help every child learn.

In English class, we spend our time covering all grammar concepts and how these relate to the construction of different types of sentences.  Through this understanding we can use these skills to enhance our writing.

Every Friday, we have Writing Workshop which is a day to focus on using the concepts we have practiced throughout the previous weeks.  Students enjoy journal writing in order to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity.  We also delve into different genres of writing including narrative, expository, procedural, and persuasive.  Our 7th and 8th grade students use an online writing program, Write to Learn,  which encourages the development of writing by giving immediate feedback  to help student s have an understanding of how to perfect sentence structure, organization, spelling, and grammar. 

To further improve the quality of our writing even more, students work with a vocabulary enhancing program, Wordly Wise, on a weekly basis.  These words are used in our weekly grammar practice and writing activities as well.

Throughout our day,  we always come back to our Catholic faith and how everything is made because of God’s goodness and love.  We are often reminded of this through service activities, prayers, and weekly Masses.  As a teacher blessed to be in a Catholic school, my goal is to teach of Christ’s love through word, action, and deed.   More importantly, I want every child to know that he or she is loved by God with an unwavering spirit that will guide us throughout our lives in what ever we choose to do.

I was born in upstate New York and lived there until I was 4.  My father, an engineer,  was transferred to Dallas, Texas where I began attending school at Holy Family of Nazareth School.  We moved back to New York when I was 10, and then we moved again when I was 12 to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  I attended St. Jude School and eventually Notre Dame High School  After graduation, I attended one year at UTC and finished my education at MTSU.

I taught junior high English and Literature for nine years in Cheatham County Schools, but my heart was always in Catholic education.  I was then blessed with the opportunity to teach at St. Henry School and St. Edward School.  After having my middle son, I decided to teach preschool at the JCC and Brook Hollow Weekday so I could be with my little ones.  Catholic school continued to call my heart, so I am thankful I was able to return to teach here at St. Ann for the last 3 years.