Hi! I'm Amber Stevens, "Local Shark Nerd" from Penn Yan, NY.
I love to create inventive ways to unlock curiosity, passion and wonder in a child. It is my belief that there is magic in reaching a child's heart.
Exciting changes and collaborations to bring STEAM (integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) to children of your community!
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Lover of sharks.
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Protector of species.
* Parents, please preview before showing to your child*
WEBSITES
Shark angels - Turning fear into fascination
VIDEOS
Valerie Taylor with Great White
Ocean Ramsey encounters a great white shark
Ocean Ramsey, Ted Talk: How sharks affect us all
5 Facts about Sharks That Will Make Your Jaws Drop
How to deter a large shark, Ocean and Juan
Cool facts about sharks for kids
Disney Plus Documentaries:
National Geographic: Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks
National Geographic: Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth
Books:
If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Shark Block by Christopher Franceschelli
Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang
The Ultimate Shark Field Guide: The Ocean Explorer's Handbook by Julius Csotonyi
Shark Boy and Ocean Girl by Ocean Ramsey
Lifelong learner.
I have been an elementary educator for 17 years. In that time I have worked with a diverse range of learners from kindergarten to sixth grade.
Creator of “Little Bookworms: Stories & More,” a literacy program for preschool children, ranging from infants to age 5. This program included oral readings of children’s books, a concentration in fine and gross motor skills, as well as sensory development, and the development of play that encourages socialization among children and caregivers that covered a weekly 90 minute program.
For three summers, I developed and created a Mystery Book Club at the FHTM Library that held weekly gatherings to participate in highly engaging mystery series and activities with a focus on students in grades 4-6.
Too many times to count, I have given engaging and exciting shark presentations to students and community members.
It is my soul’s purpose to be curious and excited about learning, to create inventive ways to unlock someone’s curiosity and passion, to instill wonder in a child. It is my belief that there is magic in reaching a child’s heart, and once that is unlocked, the world is their oyster.
Degrees
Master of Science: Concentration in Elementary Reading and Literacy
Bachelor of Science
Associates in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Certifications
University of the State of New York Education Department: Public School Teacher Permanent Certification. Certification Area: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grades 1-6
University of the State of New York Education Department: Public School Teacher Permanent Certification. Certification Area: Special Education
Accolades
2004
Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year Award
Golden Apple
Nomination by the Department of Education at Keuka College
2010
Recognized by Administration and Board of Education at Hammondsport Central School for my collaborative work with the Fred and Harriett Taylor Memorial Library to receive grants for more audiobook selections for struggling readers in classrooms
2014
Cayuga Group: Apple for the Teacher Award
Nomination by a student parent
2018
Steuben County Youth Bureau
Gary Pruyn Youth Service Worker of the Year Award
Recognized by New York State Legislature, Thomas F. O’Mara, NYS Senator and Philip A. Palmesano, NYS Assemblyman
Nomination by Director, Marsha Watson and the President of the Board of Trustees, Pat Etter of the Fred and Harriett Taylor Memorial Library
Educator of littles.
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