Mr. Brown

Hello,

My name is Jason Brown and this is my tenth year teaching at Meredith Hill Elementary. However, Meredith Hill has been my home for over eleven years now! I did all of my practicums and student teaching experience here while still in college. I graduated from Central Washington University in 1999 with a BA in Elementary Education and a Minor in Special Education. I later received my masters degree from Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Technology. Your children will continue to learn a great deal about computers and other forms of technology this year (web pages, Powerpoint, Word documents, digital cameras, etc..).

I am also very proud to be a member of the Washington Education Association (WEA), National Education Association (NEA), and the local Federal Way Education Association (FWEA). I believe there is so much more to our childrens' education than the four walls of the classroom. Too often, politicians and those with little or no education background, make decisions that negatively impact our most valuable resource, kids. I believe my activism in these organizations is a way for me to make public schools the best they can be for our staff, our students and this community.

I was born and raised in Lacey, Wa. and come from a family of educators. My mother, brother, sister-in-law, wife, and uncle are all teachers! My wife, Toni, teaches 3rd grade at Enterprise Elementary in Federal Way. My brother Greg was a former teacher in Federal Way and now is a principal at Dick Scobee Elementary in Auburn. My late father was also a long time teacher and education activist. I'm very proud of the legacy he left behind and hope to continue it through my career and activism on behalf of kids and public schools. You can learn more about my father by clicking here Gary Brown Scholarship Fund.

During my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wife, Toni and daughters, Averi and Addison!!!s!! My favorite hobbies are fishing and golfing. I belong to Capital City Bass Club based out of Lacey, WA. I also really enjoy working on my mobile DJ business, Tune City DJs.

The unique thing about my classroom is that your children, among other things, will be learning American Sign Language (ASL). In fact, I incorporate ASL into almost every aspect of our day (writing, reading, math, science, etc..). By the end of the school year, your child should have the skills to communicate and understand basic conversational sign!

I am looking forward to meeting all of my new students and can't wait to begin learning with them. We're going to have a terrific year!

-Jason Brown

Here are some pictures:

My daughters, Averi and Addison!	My father and I in front of the NEA Headquarters in Washington D.C.
	Mr. Brown loves playing golf! Here I am at the first annual Gary Brown Classic in honor of my father, Gary Brown.
My wife, Toni, and I at a Seahawks game!	Mr. Brown loves fishing!

My Belief Statement

My philosophy hasn't changed all that much from past years! I feel that the most important thing about your child's fourth grade year is that they feel welcome, feel safe, and have FUN! Once these three components are in place, learning happens! I believe it's my job to make them life long learners (enjoy school so that they will be excited about continuing on).

I believe that all children can learn, but that children learn in different ways. Through my teaching, I focus on various learning styles in order to ensure that all of my students are working toward success.

I believe that your child's success in school depends on our "TEAM." A TEAM consisting of the child, the parent(s), and the teacher. With all three of these "TEAM" members working together, we can only increase the chance for success!

Last, but not least, the WASL There is WAY TOO MUCH EMPHASIS on this one test as the "end all say all" in education. I believe there is more to a child than a test score. However, as long as I'm here, I will focus all my energy into making sure my students are successful on that test. I will work to give them the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful life-long learners.

"If you promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I'll promise to believe only half of what they say happens at home." -British Schoolmaster