Meet the Teacher

   Welcome to our classroom! My name is Mrs. Niemeyer and I am so thrilled to be a teacher! I can't wait to learn ALL about you!  In the meantime, here are a few things about me. 

     This is my 20th year as a teacher.  I am from a family of teachers. My husband is a principal at Beartooth Elementary.  My younger brother teaches 8th grade history at Lewis and Clark. My mom recently retired as a school librarian/media specialist and my dad retired after 49 years in education. He was the director of adult ed in Billings. Teaching is in the genes!   

     I went to college at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Go Huskers! I have a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in early reading. I have taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, Reading Recovery, and I have been a Math Instructional Coach for teachers. In 2006, I was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.  Every other year, one elementary teacher from Montana is chosen for the award.  It was an amazing experience, I spent a week in Washington DC with incredible teachers from all over the United States learning more about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.  I even shook President Obama's hand!  Two years ago, I earned my National Board Certification in Teaching.

    I am married to a wonderful man, Travis. We have two amazing children. My oldest, Layne, will be entering the 8th grade at Castle Rock.  My daughter, Jensen, is a spunky nine years old and will be a 5th grader at Eagle Cliffs.   

    I am so excited to begin my nineth year at Eagle Cliffs Elementary.  It will be a fabulous year of learning and growing...and maybe even a little magic! Our classroom has the unique opportunity to learn with the latest technology tools. Thanks to grants, the Billings Education Foundation, and a generous donor named Mr. Wardell students in our classroom each have an ipad to use that is loaded with a number of learning apps. Further we have a classroom audio system, an interactive whiteboard, and classroom computers, and more. To learn more about our technology journey and how the tools enhance learning, watch this short video made about my classroom six years ago.

Further, here is an article that I wrote that explains more about how technology enhances the learning in our classroom. The article was published by EdSurge, an online journal about edtech. Click on this link: The Connected Kinders: Turning iPad Experiments into Adventures in Innovative Learning.

I believe learning should be active, rich in content and rigor,  meaningful, engaging, and fun!  If I can answer any questions, please email me at niemeyerc@billingsschools.org.  Thanks for visiting the blog, so happy you are here!