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     Welcome to the 2023 - 2024 school year at North Aiken Elementary. I am Mrs. Shah, and I will be teaching third grade language and social studies. I very much enjoy both areas of study and plan to connect the two through literature, art, music, language, theater, and map skills. I have traveled extensively and can bring many countries to life. I have visited Italy, France, Greece, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Puerto Rico, Nassu, Freeport, and St. Croix many times. My husband is from Pakistan; therefore, I have much to share about that country and region as well.

     I consider reading, writing, and social studies to be more than a subject on a dull page of a textbook. Each can become a lifelong passion. I want to do my part to ignite that spark. I feel that no ceiling should be put on learning and that a teacher should help students reach for the stars.

     Creative writing is a particular passion of mine. I write women's fiction, middle school novels, and picture books. I hope to expose my students to many types of writing in order to help them find their niche and discover the author within. I am a member of the South Carolina Writer's Association and the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators. I am currently working with a team preparing a program to turn around failing schools that will be marketed to school districts. In my research, I found that infusing the arts into the core curriculum is key. 

    I have won many awards for my original creative writing program  including a national award from Scholastic Newspaper when five classes in the United States were selected. I was the TEAMS (Texas Evaluation and Assessment of Minimal Skills) teacher in Texas and was hired to raise test scores in reading, math, and writing. There was one such position in each school. In South Carolina, I adapted my program for middle school and won the annual Middle School Magic Award. I have had students' stories and poetry published and had an eighth grade Lt. Governor's Award winner.

     I have taught middle school self  - contained special education classes as well as all subjects in grades 1 - 5 and language arts and social studies in grades 6 - 8. I have taught children from military, migrant, and inner city backgrounds as well as children from many socio - economic backgrounds.

     In my spare time, I enjoy antiquing, entertaining, and trying international cuisine. I live in Aiken with my husband and several cats who are named for beaches around the world.

     Let's have a fantastic year!