Welcome to Team Thomas!
I am delighted that you have come to visit, so please let me be the first to extend you a warm welcome to our classroom community! Fifth grade is such an important stage in the learning process, so you will always find our group hard at work! Although it may sound cliche, I firmly believe that anything worth having is worth working for. Therefore, I establish high expectations and constantly challenge my students to demonstrate great dedication and use their gifts and abilities to reach their full potential.
With that being said, our days are filled with so much more than just reading, writing, math, science and other academic tasks! Since learning extends beyond the textbook, we also incorporate plenty of team-building exercises that will promote classroom unity, spark plenty of laughter, and inspire character development. Each day, the students in Room 504 are encouraged to strive for excellence, bring joy to others, and remember that even the simplest act of kindness can make an extravagant difference. |
Meet Mrs. Thomas |
My name is Maria Thomas, and I am honored to be your child’s fifth grade teacher! I truly believe that I have the best job in the world, and I consider it a privilege to be able to spend my day with a group of fifth graders as I educate, inspire, and encourage! I am passionate about the teaching profession, and I desire for your son or daughter to excel not only in school--but also in life. Therefore, in addition to the fact that I will emphasize academic concepts on a daily basis, you should also know that I stress the importance of making wise choices and being respectful!
Although I am now a proud resident of Apex, I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I attended Malone University in Canton, Ohio and received a degree in Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement, I completed a master's degree in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual instruction in June 2017. I consider myself truly blessed to be able to work with the students and families in our community, and I am excited to partner with you throughout the year. As many of you already know, I am new to the Apex Elementary family! However, I am not new to the teaching profession. I have previously taught kindergarten, second grade, and fifth grade, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with fifth grade students! |
You Matter! |
I truly care about my students, and I am willing to do all that I possibly can to help them succeed! Therefore, if you ever have a question or concern regarding your child, please feel free to contact me at any time. I will be more than happy to speak with you and answer any questions that you may have. My contact information is listed below, and please know that I will always strive to respond to your messages as quickly as possible.
Mrs. Thomas Email: [email protected] Remind: Please text cbk76b to 81010 Best time to contact? Anytime! Please just remember that you will not always receive an immediate response. From 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., my primary responsibility is help your child build a love for learning! Therefore, I will rarely have the opportunity to reply to messages until the conclusion of the school day. |
Class Dojo is an amazing resource that I have utilized in my classroom for several years, and it is one of the best ways to maintain communication and help all students THRIVE! Class Dojo is a free app that works across all technology devices, so please take a moment to download the app, sign up on the webpage, or send me a note/email to ask me for help with setting up your account.
I use this resource to track student behavior, provide rewards for positive choices, communicate with families, and help with homework. The communication and homework features have been the best selling points for most families, and parents LOVE having the opportunity to communicate with me at all hours of the day. I also post pictures and videos of classroom happenings, so this is the BEST way for you to stay informed and involved!
I use this resource to track student behavior, provide rewards for positive choices, communicate with families, and help with homework. The communication and homework features have been the best selling points for most families, and parents LOVE having the opportunity to communicate with me at all hours of the day. I also post pictures and videos of classroom happenings, so this is the BEST way for you to stay informed and involved!
I will be creating and facilitating plenty of fun and engaging learning experiences for your child throughout the course of the school year, and it is important for you to understand that all of those lessons will be anchored in the Common Core and North Carolina Essential Standards. If you are interested in obtaining more specific information about the concepts and skills that your son or daughter will be expected to master in fifth grade, please feel free to explore the websites listed below.