About Mrs. Russ  Mrs. Russ 

 

I was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, but my parents moved to Panama City, Florida when I was two years old. I grew up on beautiful white sand of the Florida Panhandle's beaches.

I graduated from Bay High School and went to the University of Florida. While I was in Gainesville, I met and married my husband. After we graduated from college, we moved to Pine Mountain, Georgia.

I started teaching first grade in the Troup County School System in 1988. For 13 years, I taught both first and second grade at several schools in LaGrange, Georgia.

There is an old saying that once you get the Florida sand between your toes, you will always return. It must be true, because my husband and I both got an irresistible urge to return to the World's Most Beautiful Beaches along the Emerald Coast. We moved to Niceville, Florida in 2001, and I got a job with the Okaloosa School District teaching third grade at Cherokee Elementary School on Eglin Air Force Base.

Currently, I am teaching third grade a Plew Elementary School in Niceville, Florida.

In 2003, I attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as a Middle Childhood Generalist. While state certification programs set standards for beginning teachers, NBPTS certification is a demonstration of an experienced teacher’s practice as measured against high and rigorous standards.

In addition to my fabulous husband, I have two wonderful sons, one very old cat, and one friendly white dog in my family.

I enjoy reading, walking on the beach, and listening to music. My favorite colors are lavender and periwinkle. I really love chocolate--especially Snickers, Milky Way, and chocolate-covered caramels.