Teacher Tuesday 21 - Third Grade hub of ELA, joy, and creativity: Molly Moloney!

​Meet Molly Moloney:  The dedicated, passionate, creative, and loving 3rd grade ELA Teacher at Caliber Beta Academy! 

Quotes from Molly's teammate: Molly is the type of teacher you want your own kids to have.  She goes above and beyond for her students.  She always looking for ways to improve her craft and is truly there for the kids. Her dedication to students and her teaching is inspiring!

As a colleague, you know you can always count on her.  Molly possess a passion for designing new curriculum.  She also has the best resources and loves to share them with her coworkers.  She is organized, creative and loves to collaborate.  Molly is an incredible educator!

All about Molly: 
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan. I went to college at Oberlin in Ohio and then came to California almost 20 years ago to go to graduate school at UC Santa Barbara. I eventually migrated up to the Bay Area and I've lived in Richmond for over 10 years with my husband and two sons.

Before becoming an elementary school teacher, I was a sociologist. I have an MA and PhD in sociology and worked at a research institute, studying and writing about youth drug use and youth gangs. This was really interesting work, but I began to feel that I wasn't making a direct impact in the lives of youth. (To use Caliber terminology, my career was all SMART and THINK and not enough HEART and ACT). So, I embarked upon a radical career upheaval and got my teaching credential and started teaching. 

Before coming to Caliber, I taught at another school in Richmond. I live here in Richmond and knew that I wanted to work in my own community. My sons actually came to Caliber (as founding kindergartners) before I did. Anyone who was at Caliber in year 1 knows that everything was a bit crazy that year, while Caliber was figuring itself out. And yet, there was also this spark, this huge potential-- so I decided that I needed to be at Caliber, not just as a parent, but also as a teacher. So, I came to Caliber, first as a fourth grade teacher and now in third grade. It's been an amazing experience!

A recent interview with Molly: 

What is your favorite thing about teaching 3rd grade at Beta? 
I love getting to work with these students. 3rd grade is such a special age. The students have such creativity and passion and joy-- they learn and grow so much over the course of the year, yet they are still definitely kids.

What was your favorite subject growing up? 
I loved reading and history.

Did you always think you were going to become a teacher? 
No! I thought I was going to be a college professor. (And did teach college classes when I was  in grad school). It was only after I had children of my own that I realized how much I loved working with younger kids.

Favorite candy bar or sweet treat?
Dark chocolate. Yum!

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go? 
I would love to go to Italy some day.

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically about Richmond!)? 
I love how diverse Richmond is, and how down to earth the people are. It's a great place to raise my family.

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you? 
My family and I are obsessed with playing board games. :)

Come visit Molly's joyful classroom at Caliber Beta Academy in Richmond!