Spotlight On: Mrs. Carpenter, First Grade Facilitator

In this week’s staff spotlight, we are excited to introduce you to iLEAD Agua Dulce’s 1st grade facilitator Mrs. Carpenter. With her extensive background in education and a love for helping learners of all ages, Mrs. Carpenter brings a wealth of knowledge and a warm heart to our campus. Let’s get to know Mrs. Carpenter!

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at iLEAD Agua Dulce.

I have a master’s degree in educational psychology, and I love helping students of all ages. I have been a teacher for many years and have also worked as a college advisor.

What is your role at iLEAD Agua Dulce? What’s the best part about it? 

The best part of teaching 1st grade at iLEAD Agua Dulce is the large, beautiful classroom.

What do you LOVE about iLEAD Agua Dulce? What sets it apart from other schools?

I love that iLEAD Agua Dulce has animals on campus!

What are some events you enjoy at iLEAD Agua Dulce?

I enjoy the boxcar movie night at the beginning of the year and the Jamboree concert at the end of the year.

In your opinion, what makes a great leader?

A great leader is someone who serves others and tries to bring out the best in everyone.

There are great social-emotional learning activities/opportunities at iLEAD Agua Dulce. Can you share a story about seeing learners using them in action?

One SEL learning activity is a morning meeting we do to start each day. It allows my 1st graders to sit in a circle and talk about what a great day we are going to have. We also go over some of the neat things we are going to do and take a survey of something that is their favorite. This way each person gets a chance to talk and learn about one another.

What does a day in your school life look like?

A day in my school life looks like kids engaging in learning and staff actively facilitating, preparing, and (during breaks) socializing in the staff room.

Please name three to five fun/interesting facts about you. Extra credit for lots of details.

• I enjoy going to concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Fred Kavali Theater in Thousand Oaks.
• I love that iLEAD follows Lev Vygotsky’s ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) to scaffold students’ learning.
• I have a white terrier dog named Riley, who is so sweet.
• My family and I also love going to see the LA Rams at SoFi Stadium.

Mrs. Carpenter’s dedication to our learners and the iLEAD Agua Dulce community shines through in everything she does. Her insights remind us that a great school is not only a place for academic growth but also a supportive, collaborative, and joyful environment. Thank you, Mrs. Carpenter, for all you do!

About iLEAD Agua Dulce:

iLEAD Agua Dulce is a free public school offering TK-12th graders a unique, personalized education in picturesque Agua Dulce, CA. Founded in 2018, the school emphasizes leadership development, play-based and project-based learning, and social-emotional development. Its outdoor classroom, complete with farm animals, promotes empathy and responsibility. Learners benefit from technology, arts, and aerospace opportunities, developing collaborative skills and critical thinking. High schoolers take advantage of UC a-g approved coursework, Career & Technical Education (CTE), and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme, preparing for success in college and career. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadaguadulce.org.

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