Second Grade

Natalie Fernández Ararou, Second Grade (email link)

As the second grade teacher, Ms. Natalie introduces important new skills, including proofreading, multiplication, division and cursive handwriting, to prepare students for the intermediate grades.

Ms. Natalie's classroom encompasses the whole Courtyard campus. Her second graders may be found learning about plant life cycles in the garden, exploring science in the computer lab, inventing math games in the classroom or practicing handwriting with recipes for "Snazzy Snacks" that they also make and eat.

Courtyard empowers Ms. Natalie to teach beyond the curriculum, spending more time on what interests students most and modifying lessons to fit their needs.

A graduate of Saint Mary's College of California who completed her teaching credential coursework through Chapman University, Ms. Natalie has also taught Spanish at all grade levels at Courtyard and worked as the first grade teacher. Ms. Natalie started work at Courtyard five years ago as a summer camp teacher and extended day care leader. Her baby son is an honorary Cougar and occasionally visits to watch Mommy work.

"At Courtyard, we can challenge students to think deeper and apply their knowledge in other contexts."