My Story...
I was born in Bay City, Michigan where most of my family lives still today. I was surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents growing up and feel truly blessed to have been raised by such a close family. I attended WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) schools all my life, from Kindergarten to my college graduation. I value my Christian education as one of the most important blessings in my life.
As early as five years old, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a teacher. I had kind, genuinely caring teachers throughout my schooling and grandparents and parents who actively encouraged me towards opportunities in working with young children. My junior year of high school I had my first "student teaching" experience, shadowing a local elementary classroom once a week for a semester and began working at an Early Childhood Center that following summer. My desire to become a teacher was solidified.
I attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota for four years and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree. I hold my alma mater in highest esteem because the professors instilled in me knowledge of the best practices in teaching and child development. I am the teacher I am today because of the quality education I received at MLC.
In 2008, my husband, Matt, and I got married and I moved down to Ft. Myers from Orlando. I taught for four years in Maitland, FL in a third-fourth grade multi-grade setting before getting married and moving. Down in SWFL, I found a position as a preschool teacher at a local Christian school. The preschool was wonderful and I had a lot of fun teaching the little ones. Though I do desperately miss my third and fourth grade levels. Being at the preschool has allowed me to have a great full-time position while getting my Master's in Reading. Because the "take home" load of preschool is so much less, I am able to take two courses at a time.
In summer of 2011, our family grew by one with the birth of our daughter. She is a blessing beyond measure and we are loving the sleep-deprived wonderment that is parenthood! It has been an amazing gift to be able to stay home with her full time, watching her grow, and fostering a love of books and stories in her as well!
My hobbies include traveling to see family and visiting new places, photography, reading, and getting together with old friends as well as meeting new ones! I hope to continue in this blessed life-growing, learning, and helping my students along the way.
As early as five years old, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a teacher. I had kind, genuinely caring teachers throughout my schooling and grandparents and parents who actively encouraged me towards opportunities in working with young children. My junior year of high school I had my first "student teaching" experience, shadowing a local elementary classroom once a week for a semester and began working at an Early Childhood Center that following summer. My desire to become a teacher was solidified.
I attended Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota for four years and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree. I hold my alma mater in highest esteem because the professors instilled in me knowledge of the best practices in teaching and child development. I am the teacher I am today because of the quality education I received at MLC.
In 2008, my husband, Matt, and I got married and I moved down to Ft. Myers from Orlando. I taught for four years in Maitland, FL in a third-fourth grade multi-grade setting before getting married and moving. Down in SWFL, I found a position as a preschool teacher at a local Christian school. The preschool was wonderful and I had a lot of fun teaching the little ones. Though I do desperately miss my third and fourth grade levels. Being at the preschool has allowed me to have a great full-time position while getting my Master's in Reading. Because the "take home" load of preschool is so much less, I am able to take two courses at a time.
In summer of 2011, our family grew by one with the birth of our daughter. She is a blessing beyond measure and we are loving the sleep-deprived wonderment that is parenthood! It has been an amazing gift to be able to stay home with her full time, watching her grow, and fostering a love of books and stories in her as well!
My hobbies include traveling to see family and visiting new places, photography, reading, and getting together with old friends as well as meeting new ones! I hope to continue in this blessed life-growing, learning, and helping my students along the way.
I hope that here you'll find a way to tell your story.
~Katie Visaggio
If you can't be the writer,
be the story.
~Katie Visaggio
If you can't be the writer,
be the story.
I Am:
a Christian
a wife
a mother
a daughter
a sister
a writer
a reader
a thinker
a decorator
a photographer
a traveler
a comforter
a friend
a guide
a leader
a follower
a teacher
a Christian
a wife
a mother
a daughter
a sister
a writer
a reader
a thinker
a decorator
a photographer
a traveler
a comforter
a friend
a guide
a leader
a follower
a teacher
My Education History
Education
Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL May 2010-Present
Master of Education in Reading graduate student
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN August 2000 - May 2004
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education
Student Teaching Experiences
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERESTS
Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL May 2010-Present
Master of Education in Reading graduate student
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN August 2000 - May 2004
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education
Student Teaching Experiences
- Student Teacher, 2003 Sleepy Eye Elementary School, Sleepy Eye, MN
- Student Teacher, 2003 Grace Lutheran School, Oshkosh, WI
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Third & Fourth grades teacher: King of Kings Lutheran School; Maitland, FL 2004-2008
- Preschool & VPK teacher, various levels: Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center; Ft. Myers, FL 2008-2012
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERESTS
- Served on the Program Committee for the private school district; responsible for planning and running Teachers’ Conference from 2006-2008.
- Worked with a team of two additional teachers to compose a unified curriculum for all subject areas for private school association from 2005-2007.
- Welcome the opportunity to do curriculum studies and mapping.
- Obtained Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate #1085985, Elementary Education (Grades K-6).
- Obtained DCF Staff Credential Verification for VPK certification on March 16, 2009 (#2954961).
- Member of the International Reading Association beginning in September 2010.