Teacher Tuesday 7: Stefanie Eytchison!

Meet Stefanie: The 3rd Grade Level Lead and ELA Teacher at Caliber: Beta Academy. Not only are Stefanie's students always on task, engaged, and invested, but her classroom is an amazing sight to see full of student work, anchor charts, and stimulation. Stefanie also manages to get her students active in many activities and programs outside of Caliber such as Girls on the Run, SF Opera's Books to Bravo, and Discover Day at the Giants Stadium (pictured above). 
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One of Stefanie's 3rd grade team members recently said: "Stefanie is an amazing 3rd grade level lead. She is always there for questions, ideas, and support for anyone who has the blessing to cross her path. Her dedication to each Caliber student is contagious, and you can see her hard work in the faces of every single one of her students. She is truly a teacher you love to watch and that you will wish you had as a student." 

Learn about Stefanie: 
Stefanie Eytchison spent her childhood between Hawaii and Belgium before moving to California. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University (CSU), Chico.  During her university years, Stefanie was a math tutor for elementary students and coordinated Family Math Nights at local elementary schools.  It was through these experiences that Stefanie found her true passion for teaching.  She went on to earn her Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from CSU, Chico.  Stefanie moved to the Bay Area in 2009 and taught at an elementary school in San Leandro for five years before joining the Caliber team.  Stefanie joined the Caliber team during Beta's founding year.  She was drawn to Caliber's mission to teach the whole child, both academically and emotionally.  She was also drawn to Caliber's focus on inquiry-based and project-based learning.

A recent interview with Stefanie: 
What is your favorite thing about teaching 3rd grade? When I became a teacher, it was always my dream to teach third grade.  I love how third graders are becoming independent thinkers and starting to take control of their own learning.  They are so excited to learn about the world around them, and my passion is guiding them through that process.

What was your favorite subject growing up? I always loved science as a kid! I especially loved learning about outer space.  On my free time, I am always reading articles about the newest space discoveries and finding topics to share with the kids.

Did you always think you were going to become a teacher? I loved teaching, but I didn't always think I was going to become a teacher.  When I was little, I always dreamed of being an architect.

Favorite candy bar or sweet treat?  I love peanut M&M's.  I like to pretend that they're healthy!

If you could go on a dream vacation, what would you do + where would you go? If I could go on a dream vacation, I would go to Thailand.  While there, I would tour the beaches, eat tons of Thai food (Thai food is my favorite type of food) and volunteer for a week at an elephant sanctuary.

What is your favorite thing about the Bay Area (or specifically about Richmond!)? I love the Bay Area; my favorite aspects are the history and the architecture.  As a kid I fell in love with San Francisco and always hoped I would move here someday.  I have really enjoyed living here and teaching my students about the history of California, especially the Bay Area.

What is one fun fact that most people don't know about you? 
I'm a Military Brat.  My dad was in the Navy, which meant that we moved around a lot.  By the time I was 13, I had lived in six states and two countries.