About the Teachers

Meet the Classroom Teacher
I'm really excited to be teaching fifth grade this year!  It's going to be a fantastic year full of laughter, learning, and love.  I am so excited to meet my students this year and I look forward to nurturing them.

This will be my 15th year teaching in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.  Prior to teaching, I earned my Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Science from Michigan State University.  I also earned my teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University.  I earned a master's degree in Social Foundations with a concentration in Eco-Justice Education from EMU in 2014.

I am also the Burns Park Elementary School Garden Coordinator.  I am very passionate about school gardening with students and staff.  I also co-chair the Ann Arbor Farm to School Collaborative and love bringing locally grown food to our students in the district.

Sorry, Michigan Fans, but I am an MSU Spartan for life!  I grew up in East Lansing for the first part of my childhood and was thrilled to go back for my undergraduate degree.  But, I also love Ann Arbor and wanted to teach in this great city!  I will tell you a secret, I do root for Michigan when they aren't playing MSU. Shhhhhh, don't tell my Spartan friends! :0)

In my spare time, I love to play with my furry companions Chewey, Hermie and Moët. Chewey is a Cocker Spaniel and Chihuahua mix.  We call her a Cockahuahua!  I rescued her from the island of St. Croix in the Caribbean 15 years ago.  Hermie is a rescue from the Huron Valley Humane Society.  He is a Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix.  They are known as Pomchi's, but we like to refer to him as a Pomerhuahua!  Moët is a Pitbull.  She is a rescue too.  We call her Momo.  They are my favorite furry friends!

Chewey

Hermie

Moët (Momo)

In addition to teaching, I have a passion for environmental education and advocacy which I like to embed into my teaching practice.  Other things I love to do is garden, travel, spend time outdoors swimming and kayaking, and volunteer my time in the community.  I also love to spend time with family and friends.

  

I am so excited to be part of the Burns Park community!  I look forward to creating a meaningful learning environment with my students and the school community.  Go Penguins!

Meet our Student Intern

Hi! My name is Lacey Rubin, and I am so excited to be Ms. Shah’s student intern for the upcoming school year. I am from Maryland and live right outside of Washington, DC.

I will be a senior at the University of Michigan, where I am working towards a degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in social studies. Last year, I interned in kindergarten and fourth-grade classrooms, and I am really looking forward to working with fifth graders this year.

My family includes my Mom, Dad, younger sister Jordan, and our three-pound dog Beebee.

My Family

(More Beebee pictures)

I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I am so excited to be one step closer to reaching my goal! My mom still has a video of me from my fifth-grade graduation sharing what I wanted to be when I grew up. While many of my friends were aspiring to be astronauts or famous movie stars, I stood up and proudly stated that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I am very fortunate to be able to fulfill the dream I had since kindergarten.

In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends, walk to Bear Claw, exercise, and bake healthy treats! I also love to read, shop, and spend as much time as I can at the beach.

I am excited for school to start, and I am looking forward to an amazing year!

Ms. Rubin

P.S.! Here is a picture of me when I was in fifth grade (on Halloween!)