Dawson Spotlight: Julie Zamorano
Have you met Ms. Julie Zamorano yet? Currently, she teaches second grade and serves as a DEI Ambassador. Get to know her through this Q & A written by Dawson Middle School students, and watch what happens in her morning meeting in the video.
How long have you been a teacher?
This is my 20th year of teaching!
This is my 20th year of teaching!
What convinced you to start your teaching career? Where did you start teaching?
I started my teaching career at a middle school in Southern California. The community of students and teachers made it so much fun and the experience inspired me to continue my education and career path in teaching. I spent a large portion of my teaching career in various parts of Japan. I had so many memorable and valuable experiences in those moments and much of what I learned overseas is present in my classroom now.
I started my teaching career at a middle school in Southern California. The community of students and teachers made it so much fun and the experience inspired me to continue my education and career path in teaching. I spent a large portion of my teaching career in various parts of Japan. I had so many memorable and valuable experiences in those moments and much of what I learned overseas is present in my classroom now.
What's your favorite part about teaching and helping kids?
The genuine excitement and curiosity they bring keeps me feeling excited to teach. I also love to celebrate the growth and progress students make each year. One of my favorite aspects of teaching is when former students visit me and share memories they had of being in my classroom such as lessons that I taught or celebrations that we had together.
The genuine excitement and curiosity they bring keeps me feeling excited to teach. I also love to celebrate the growth and progress students make each year. One of my favorite aspects of teaching is when former students visit me and share memories they had of being in my classroom such as lessons that I taught or celebrations that we had together.
What is one of your favorite parts about being at Dawson?
The students, families, faculty, and staff are wonderful.
The students, families, faculty, and staff are wonderful.
What motivates you to stay at Dawson?
The community … events, colleagues, and the kids.
The community … events, colleagues, and the kids.
Why do you like teaching students in a fun and engaging way?
One way that I love to teach is through telling stories. I often tell stories about learning how to do so many new things when I lived abroad and the students usually ask so many questions. I also love to give students choice and voice in activities that we plan so they are as excited about and invested in the learning as I am.
One way that I love to teach is through telling stories. I often tell stories about learning how to do so many new things when I lived abroad and the students usually ask so many questions. I also love to give students choice and voice in activities that we plan so they are as excited about and invested in the learning as I am.
What is one of your favorite things about seeing our students grow throughout the year?
I love watching their confidence build as learners. I have seen students who do not yet see themselves as writers or mathematicians who blossom in these areas throughout the year. To be able to celebrate the growth is always heartwarming.
I love watching their confidence build as learners. I have seen students who do not yet see themselves as writers or mathematicians who blossom in these areas throughout the year. To be able to celebrate the growth is always heartwarming.
How does Dawson benefit you?
I am constantly learning more from my students and colleagues. I have also been fortunate enough to gain professional development experiences in areas that I enjoy learning more about.
I am constantly learning more from my students and colleagues. I have also been fortunate enough to gain professional development experiences in areas that I enjoy learning more about.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I love watching sports, particularly Dodgers baseball and college and NBA basketball, and reading. My family and I like to travel, especially to tropical locations.
I love watching sports, particularly Dodgers baseball and college and NBA basketball, and reading. My family and I like to travel, especially to tropical locations.
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The Alexander Dawson School
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain, an independent school located on 33-acres in the community of Summerlin, is Nevada’s first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school for students in early childhood through grade eight. Utilizing the unique Challenge Success framework, Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create more engaged, motivated, and resilient learners and leaders. At Dawson, students achieve their individual potential while savoring life and meeting the challenges of the world.