Natasha Vasco

Project Based Learning/Gifted & Talented

Email:
Natasha_Vasco@dpsk12.net

Department(s):
Project Based Learning Team

What is your favorite childhood book? 

I loved A Bad Case of Stripes by Dave Shannon and The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I was also really into series books: Series of Unfortunate Events by Daniel Handler, Baby Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin and the Fear Street Books by R.L. Stine.

What is your secret talent?  

I make delicious Colombian Buñuelos, Venezuelan Arepas and all sorts of cheesecakes!

Who was your favorite teacher in Elementary School and Why? 

My favorite Elementary School teachers were my 4th grade teachers, Mr. Pinkett & Mr. Thompson. One was a first year teacher and the other was a veteran teacher. Together, they were co-teaching and learning from one another which taught us all beautiful collaboration. They were very creative and took us on many field trips! One of my favorites was to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument where we found petrified wood, arrowheads and some turquoise. I will never forget them!

What is your favorite thing about teaching? 

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,” by William Butler Yeats. Forever a favorite quote of mine because I love seeing this happen, giving students the tools and watching them flourish. Flourish into great leaders, a classroom that is a family and students who are intrinsically motivated. I love building rapport with students, incorporating their interests in the lesson and watching their faces light up. I want students to feel heard and I want to empower them always.

What is your favorite subject to teach and why?   

I love teaching creative writing and science! With creative writing, I like teaching students to be imaginative or outside-the-box. Getting lost in your own short story, poem, screenplay, comic book, personal essay and comedy is such an amazing experience. It compels you to the subject or topic. It allows for some freedom and I get to learn even more about my students.

I enjoy teaching science to students because I love the entire process. From forming a hypothesis, to finding the research to then making sure to find reliable and valid evidence. I love to see a project unfold in science and I love the procedural writing leading up to an experiment!