The first thing I would like to say is Malo lelei (Hello), and welcome to Legacy Elementary School Home of the Lions. My name is Mrs. Tengei and I am one of the 3^rd grade teachers for the 2009-2010 school year. This will be my 3^rd full year teaching here at Legacy. I have been teaching for about 10 years. Throughout those years I have been a nanny, swim instructor, and gymnastics instructor. I have 6 years of classroom experience as a head teacher. I love working with children. It is my love and passion. I am currently enrolled in classes. I am excited to learn new things and become a better teacher.

When I was a junior at La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico I was part or a program called FEA (Future Educators of America). This is where my love for teaching began. My senior year I was able to be part of a half day Pre School program. I learned the different types teaching programs that are out there. Two programs that really caught my attention were the Montessori and Reggio Emilia Approaches.

  The Montessori Method is a child-centered, method based on the child development theories originated by Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870–1952). Its method of education is to stress the importance of adapting the child’s learning environment to his or her development level.

When I graduated hight school I studied under a Montessori directress at Watermelon Mountain Montessori for about a year. Which lead me up to Utah where I studied Montessori Education for two years at Lindon Montessori. When I was done I went back to New Mexico where I was a lead directress in the Preschool and 1^st Class room. I taught there for a year in a half.

I moved here to Arizona in 2003 to be a Nanny For my Cousin’s children when I got offered a class at Fountain Hills Montessori. I was under a directress for a year and then given my class in the Preschool level Age Groups 4-7. I taught there for 2 years. I decided I wanted to move closer to Mesa and that is when I was offered a Third Grade class here at legacy in 2007. I have been here since.

The kids in my class will learn that I have a love for the Polynesian culture. I have been dancing Hawaiian, Tahitian, Tongan, and Samoan for about three years. I recently got married to my wonderful and amazing husband. My husband is from a small Island in the South Pacific, The Kingdom of Tonga. We both share a love for the culture.

I look forward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher Night. If you have any future questions please fell free to e-mail me at STengei@legacyschoolaz.com.