Dear Students and Families,

I am so thrilled to be your child's third grade teacher! This year I am new to both Hillcrest Elementary and Oak Harbor, but I am already loving the beautiful nature and the welcoming community! I received my Bachelors of Arts in Education from Western Washington University and I hold a K-8 Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Reading and ELL. While I teach all content areas, I am especially passionate about teaching literacy skills and getting students excited about reading and writing!

My goal for this year is to create a learning environment in which each and every student feels equipped to succeed. Even though they are all incoming third graders, I know your children have a great diversity of strengths and needs. My plan is to provide quality third grade instruction that meets them where they are at and is differentiated to meet their specific needs. With the right support, I believe all students are capable of success. Beyond academics, I hope to provide a space for students where they feel safe and welcomed here at school.

If there is anything I can do to help support you, feel free to email me at rdotson@ohsd.net or contact me through the Hillcrest Elementary Main Office. I look forward to meeting all of you soon, and I hope we can make this a fantastic school year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Dotson