Dear Pirates & Families,
We have an incredible gifted community here at Norterra! I am so appreciative of the phenomenal support of our students, their families, and our entire staff here. I worked at Paseo Hills as their Gifted Specialist before coming here and before that I was a Gifted Cluster Teacher in both 2nd and 5th Grade in Cave Creek.
In 2009, I successfully achieved my National Board Certification as an Early/Middle Childhood Specialist in Literacy. In 2018, I successfully renewed my NBCT certification, going through the process of self reflection of my teaching practices once again! Since I believe we should never stop learning, I’ve also earned endorsements as a reading specialist, an early childhood specialist, and as a Structured English Immersion specialist. I'm also certified as highly qualified to teach middle school ELA.
In coming to teach in DVUSD, I feel I've come home, as I attended Park Meadows, Deer Valley & Desert Sky Jr. High, and Deer Valley High School. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Arizona and worked in the world of technology for several years. I later returned to school to earn my Post-Baccalaureate in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.
Outside of school, I have much to keep me busy! I love the outdoors, so most weekends find me hiking or kayaking. I’m also an avid reader, photographer, naturalist, and gardener. My husband and I are the proud parents of two pretty incredible sons and an amazing daughter-in-law.
Families are always so kind and generous in support of me and our SPARK/SAGE program at Norterra Canyon and I'm forever thankful for that support. For monthly updated information about all that is happening in NC SPARK & SAGE, please vivit: https://sites.google.com/dvusd.org/25-26-nc-gifted-learning/home
Mrs. Dawn Olson, NBCT
NC Gifted Specialist
