About Me!
I am Mrs. Rachel Whitlock and am so excited to be your child’s 1st grade teacher at Shepardson this year! I was born in Wisconsin and was moved to Fort Collins when I was one year old. So I like to say I’m practically a native. I went through PSD for elementary, middle school, and high school and can say I’ve had a wonderful experience.
I attended Front Range and UNC for my bachelors in Elementary Education and my Masters in Special Education. I have had many positions within elementary schools which makes me very versatile. I have been a para professional, substitute, 1st grade teacher, 3rd grade teacher, and a special needs teacher in Autism.
I met my wonderful husband in high school and am so lucky to have a sweet son and daughter who are 9 and 6. We also have a full house with two dogs, a cat, fish, and a leopard gecko. We enjoy spending lots of time as a family, going on walks, bike rides, swimming, baseball, camping, and anything outdoors!
I have had the privilege to be at Shepardson the past 7 years as the Autism teacher and the last two years as a 1st grade teacher. I am so lucky and grateful to call Shepardson my second home.
I am looking forward to meeting you and getting to know your 1st grader. I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was the neighborhood babysitter at the age of 10. Teaching children is what I love to do. Every day is a challenge and an adventure. My hope for your first grader is that they feel safe, loved, love learning, have a sense of belonging, create lots of memories, and most of all HAVE FUN!
It is also very important to me that we work together as a team to support your 1st grader. To help foster their love for learning and to be an active partner and encourager to help them grow socially, academically, and emotionally.