Welcome!!

My name is Randi Knizner; I am currently in my seventeenth year of teaching a Carmichaels Area School District. Prior to teaching full time at CASD I was a substitute teacher, for four years, at many surrounding school districts. I also worked for 4 years in the Mental Health field with behavior challenged children as Therapeutic Staff Support, Behavior Specialist, and a Wrap Around Coordinator.  I am presently teaching kindergarten for the fourth consecutive year. From 2001 to 2014 in Carmichaels Area School District I taught Elementary Art Education for grades kindergarten through sixth grade.

I am a 1989 graduate of Dallas High School in Dallas, PA. After graduation I continue my education at (1989-1991) Keystone College, La Plume, PA earning a Associate Degree in Fine Art, (1991-1993) Temple University (Tyler School of Art), Philadelphia, PA earning a Bachelors of Fine Art degree, (1993-1994) California University of PA earning a Bachelors of Arts degree with a Art Education Certification, and (1994-1996) California University of PA earning a Masters Degree in Elementary Education grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. To keep up with change in education and technology, I continue to take classes and seminars through different resources.   

Currently I live just outside of Carmichaels School District with my husband, son (age 17), and daughter (age 13).  When I am not at school teaching I am usually found at one of my children’s activities, family function, catching up on school work, or reading a book.

I love my job as an educator.  I do not believe there is a better job in this world for me.  As a kindergarten teacher I believe it is important to set the foundations for students for years to come.  Kindergarten is a difficult transition for many students.  Today’s kindergarten is the old first grade; it is very academic with a new set of standards for learning.   I believe in making it as stimulating as possible, using different sensory techniques to help each student learn. It is important for everyone involved in a student’s life to work together as a support system for him/her to be successful.   In my classroom I utilize Class Dojo as an easy way for communication and monitoring your child’s behaviors, activities, or instant message.  Communication is the key and I will do my best to make time available to your schedule, I know what it is like to be a working parent.

Academically we follow SuperKids Reading program, McGraw Hill Math series, and  We will do one major Social Studies project in the beginning of the year to learn all 50 states and some fun facts about each state to small projects on careers, or famous historians.  In science we do many fun hands on science activities from watching Monarch Butterflies growing cycle, making slime, Ooblack, growing flowers, 5 senses, weather, and many more hands on activities to form different hypotheses.  I coordinate art projects about once a week to go with a holiday, reading, social studies, or science lesson.

I hope we can work together to make this the best, most successful experience your child will have.