My name is Debbie O’Hara. I am so happy to be a first grade teacher at Ames Elementary. I have taught at Ames for eleven years, and absolutely love teaching the children in this community! I find teaching first grade very rewarding as there is so much growth that takes place during this phase of a child's educational experience. 

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in elementary education from Metro State College. I also hold a Master’s of Science Degree in Education with emphasis in Literacy from Walden University in Minneapolis. An interesting fact about me is that I am a native of Littleton, Colorado and a product of Littleton Public Schools. I feel very fortunate to have been born here in Colorado; the most beautiful state in the United States.

I hope you will visit Ames in the near future to see first-hand the dedicated staff at Ames and the hard-working students in a learning community that values education and where everyone is putting their hearts into learning!! 

I went through all the papers and answered all the questions I saw.  .

I do like Iraq.  It is very interesting to get to visit a different country.  It gets very dusty sometimes though when the wind blows.  When we got here it was very hot (almost 108 degrees), but now it is nice.  I even wear a jacket at night because it is chilly outside.  We are here for 4 months.  I will come home in January. 

Our armor is pretty heavy, but I don't mind wearing it.  It keeps us safe while we are here.

It was fun watching the Rockies in the playoffs and World Series.  Too bad they didn't win.

I like to watch football, especially the Broncos.  When I watch the Broncos here it is really late at night…usually their game comes on TV at midnight here.  I also like to play soccer.

I eat at a big lunchroom.  It is like the lunchroom at Ames only it is really big.  Inside it is longer that a football field.  

There is a pool on base to swim, but I don't go there.  I do run a lot though. 

We wash our clothes out at the same place that I work.  We have a washer and a dryer just like at home.

I don't fly airplanes, but I do work on the bombs and bullets for the planes. 

I don't know how to juggle, but I wish I did.  I like to watch jugglers.

Thanks for sending us all the letters we enjoyed reading them all.  We also liked the video you made for Veterans Day.  Thanks for thinking of us.

Erik

• May 2008 NEWSLETTER  
• "Art at Ames" Video   

• "Kindergarten at Ames" Video