Why I teach – My name is Michael Snyder, and I currently teach at Beagle Elementary School in Grand Ledge, Michigan. I teach all of the core curriculum subjects to second grade students. My path to becoming an educator was shaped throughout my schooling. I had my first male teacher in fourth grade and he left an impact on my life. I really connected to his teaching and he forced me to take ownership of my learning. The importance of academics was always stressed within my home, however this teacher and many others instilled a confidence and belief that I can learn and I was responsible for my own learning. I hope to create the type of learning environment in my classroom; where students find themselves and attain the tools to navigate the world around them.
Education and Degrees - I graduated from Michigan State University with my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. I am certified to teach kindergarten through fifth grade for all subjects. I am also certified to teach grades six through eight in Social Studies. After receiving my certificate, I returned to Michigan State University to receive my Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET). I will complete my Master's degree in May, 2018.
Personal Interests - In my free time I enjoy being with my friends, family and spending time traveling with my wife Lauren. Lauren and I like to take trips around our great state of Michigan with our two dogs, Mollie and Lloyd. We like to take them to dog beaches around the state. One of our favorite dog beaches is Kirk's Dog Beach in Ottawa County. We also have aspirations to continue to travel in and out of the country as well. Some of my hobbies include playing soccer, basketball, golf, and watching most sports. I previously held the assistant Varsity soccer coach position for Grand Ledge High School boys' and girls' team. I hope to return to coaching after I complete the MAET program and I have some extra time in my schedule.
The video below is a short introduction I put together for our school's open house this past fall (2017) as a way for the students to get to know me a little better.