About

Elaine Ellsworth

First Grade Teacher

 Learn a little about Elaine Ellsworth and it may come as no surprise she once believed she’d grow up to be a librarian. Ms. Ellsworth loves books and, as our first grade teacher, her favorite two activities include listening to children read aloud to her and reading to the her class as a group. Literacy for all students is a passion of hers, so much so that she’s the go-to teaching professional for a variety of literacy-related programs and tools we’ve successfully implemented over the years at St. Thomas Academy.

For example, Ms. Ellsworth has helped our teachers learn about the Daily Five method of independent reading and learning, plus initiated Seesaw, a student engagement tool that supports reading and other learning. She also manages our Reader’s Theater performances, which creatively supports and reinforces fluency rates and a unique love for literature and reading.

Ms. Ellsworth has a bachelor’s degree in social and behavioral studies and a master’s degree in teaching, both from George Fox University. With her ESOL (English to Students of Other Languages) and an innate sensitivity toward people from all walks of life, she’s used this additional education to help more vulnerable students, serving as an instructional assistant for 10 years in Title-I reading, tutoring migrants, and English Language Learning. Since receiving her master’s, she has taught first thru third grades, noting that first grade is a particularly exciting challenge. Why? Because that’s when most students make the jump from barely knowing how to read to becoming inspired, eager and strong little readers within the short period of the school year. Each day is a stepping stone to progress that’s incredibly rewarding for both the children and their teacher!

Born and raised in Eugene/Springfield, Ore., Ms. Ellsworth has wonderful memories visiting her family’s cattle ranch in John Day. There, as a child and true to her persistent, hard-working self, she set an immediate goal to saddle and ride a horse—and succeeded! For the past 20 years, Ms. Ellsworth has lived in Central Oregon, where in her free time, she’s often with family and friends out traveling, camping or relaxing by a beautiful lake or river with, of course, a good read in hand.

Favorite saint? “St. Thomas because he loved Jesus enough to make sure, after his death, that Jesus was who he said he was.”

Joined STA in 2009

Education: Bachelor’s in Social and Behavioral Studies, George Fox University, Master’s in Teaching, George Fox University, Early Childhood Certification / ESOL Endorsement

contact email: elaine.ellsworth@redmondacademy.com