All About Mrs. Downing

I am so excited about teaching first grade again this year! We are looking forward to meeting all of our 1D Kids and making our community complete.

I am entering my twelfth year of teaching at Columbus Academy.  I began in first grade and then taught second grade for three years.  My professional life actually began in Social Work.  I received my Masters in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University and then worked as a Medical Social Worker at Cleveland Clinic.  My husband's work then bought us to Columbus and I taught Social Work at The Ohio State University.  I discovered my love for teaching, but wanted to teach children.   So, I pursued my Elementary Education degree from Ohio Dominican in 1998.   As I am an avid reader, I then completed my Reading Endorsement in Ashland University's graduate program in 2007.  Prior to teaching at Columbus Academy, I taught at Gahanna Jefferson Schools.

I live in Gahanna with my husband, Mike, and our youngest son, Matt, who is a sophomore at Bishop Hartley High School.  Our older two sons, Garrett and Chris live in Baltimore and Dayton.  Garrett works for the Baltimore Ravens on their digital media team.   Chris is completing his Masters in Educational Counseling while working in an Autism Center and coaching swimming.

Like Mrs. Simmons, my big love is teaching.  However, when I am not teaching I love to spend time with my family and friends.   We are big sports fans, particularly the Buckeyes, the Cleveland pro teams, and the Ravens.   We also enjoy cooking and eating out together.  When I have alone time, I spend it reading, scrapbooking, going to Starbucks, or going to the gym.  I will read fiction, non-fiction, young adult, and of course, children's books.  I  have a book or my Nook with me at all times!

As many of you may know, the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl a few years ago.  This was an exciting time for our family and it was topped off last summer,  when I was so lucky to attend the Super Bowl ring ceremony with my son in Baltimore!  This was definitely something that I will not be doing every year!

I look forward to meeting all of you and starting a wonderful year together!