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Five years ago, Wamsley Elementary teacher Erinn Wharton was performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Armed with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Colorado, Wharton was living her dream, performing modern dance at some of the finest venues.
And then, she got her big break.
Wharton got a job with the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts. Later, she began teaching at Rifle's Academy of Dance and Gymnastics and began substitute teaching in the Garfield School District Re-2 on days she didn't teach dance. Two years later, Wamsley Elementary Principal Desha Bierbaum hired Wharton as a third grade teacher.
“She took a huge chance on me,” said Wharton. “I got my teacher certification as an alternative licensure, and I love to teach.”
Bierbaum knew Wharton as a dance instructor prior to working at Re-2. She hired Wharton just two weeks prior to school starting in 2006 and she is thrilled with the way things worked out.
“When I hired her she had no (teaching) methods classes,” said Bierbaum. “But she is phenomenal. She's one of those superstars. She takes every nugget that she learns and expounds on it 110 percent.”
Seeing those “a-ha” moments, is what drives Wharton to teach and brings a smile to her face.
“Each of them (her students) has an individual talent and to be present when you see the light bulb go on and see that they get it is the greatest reward,” she explained.
Despite the fact that she spends a lot of time outdoors with her rock climbing husband Josh, Wharton says she's a city girl at heart. She loves to travel and visit her family back in New Jersey. One of her most unusual traveling experiences included a month of studying yoga and meditation in an ashram in New York two years ago. She lived in a tent, did not speak during the course, and it rained most of the month.
Erinn Wharton is Who's Who at Re-2!
— submitted by Theresa Hamilton, director of districtwide services for Garfield School District Re-2
And then, she got her big break.
Wharton got a job with the Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts. Later, she began teaching at Rifle's Academy of Dance and Gymnastics and began substitute teaching in the Garfield School District Re-2 on days she didn't teach dance. Two years later, Wamsley Elementary Principal Desha Bierbaum hired Wharton as a third grade teacher.
“She took a huge chance on me,” said Wharton. “I got my teacher certification as an alternative licensure, and I love to teach.”
Bierbaum knew Wharton as a dance instructor prior to working at Re-2. She hired Wharton just two weeks prior to school starting in 2006 and she is thrilled with the way things worked out.
“When I hired her she had no (teaching) methods classes,” said Bierbaum. “But she is phenomenal. She's one of those superstars. She takes every nugget that she learns and expounds on it 110 percent.”
Seeing those “a-ha” moments, is what drives Wharton to teach and brings a smile to her face.
“Each of them (her students) has an individual talent and to be present when you see the light bulb go on and see that they get it is the greatest reward,” she explained.
Despite the fact that she spends a lot of time outdoors with her rock climbing husband Josh, Wharton says she's a city girl at heart. She loves to travel and visit her family back in New Jersey. One of her most unusual traveling experiences included a month of studying yoga and meditation in an ashram in New York two years ago. She lived in a tent, did not speak during the course, and it rained most of the month.
Erinn Wharton is Who's Who at Re-2!
— submitted by Theresa Hamilton, director of districtwide services for Garfield School District Re-2
