Welcome to our class website. Click on the links above to take you to your desired location. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at mrwpcataldo@gmail.com.
About Me
My Education
I graduated with honors from Michigan State University in 2005 with a B.S. in general science and a minor in history. In 2008 I earned a masters of the arts in education with a focus in science and mathematics education.
Since my degrees, I have earned teaching endorsements in middle school education and mathematics.
My Philosophy of Education
My educational philosophy coincides with the theory of progressivism. Rather than just simply using textbooks and drill, I Believe that the curriculum should be learned through participation, group involvement, and experimentation, all while being put into real world context. My activities will be planned or modified to arouse the student’s curiosity and engagement on the topic. My students will be involved in activities and problems that encourage them to interact with one another and develop social virtues such as cooperation, tolerance, and teamwork while forming a conclusion to the problem.
My belief is that students should learn to be successful not only in the classroom, but outside of it as well. Through hands on activities, my students will learn how to solve problems in such a way that will equip them to be more successful in the real world, which directly pertains to the progressivism theory. As the teacher, my role is to set my students up for success by thoroughly planning the activity and producing questions to guide and push my students toward a higher level of understanding. The skills I teach my students are meant to foster their learning to span a lifetime, not to cease upon the completion of their formal education.
My Experience as an Educator
I have been an eighth grade teacher at Walt Disney Magnet School for the past five years. While at the school, I have been part of the after-school programs, coaching, athletic director, head of the social studies instructional improvement committee, summer school enrichment program, yearbook, academic bowl team and pod 300 unit leader. Needless to say, I take pride in both your childs’ educational experience and the development of our school.
While in college, I completed two, year-long internships in classrooms. One was in a second and third grade split, the other in a sixth grade classroom. Along with these two wonderful opportunities, I took part in a fellowship teaching a summer school reading bridge program in Chicago.