1st Grade

Welcome to first grade! My name is Beth Lafferty. I will be your child’s teacher for this school year. It is my pleasure to welcome you and your child. This will be a wonderful year full of learning and fun, as well as an incredible year of growth for your child as a friend, reader, mathematician, scientist, and so much more. I believe in the importance of strong family partnerships and look forward to collaborating. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or challenges. The best way to reach me is via email at: laffertyb@aaps.k12.mi.us.

This school year is my 6th year at A2 STEAM teaching first grade (+ a half year as a long term sub for Ms. Pierce) and my 20th year in teaching. I’ve taught second, third, and fifth grades in Westland and Detroit, as well as subbing in Ann Arbor Public Schools at Bryant, Pattengill, and A2 STEAM. This year, my own oldest child is beginning his freshman year at the University of Michigan, and my other two children will be Pioneer students, so I have the AAPS parent perspective too.

I look forward to an amazing year!

My name is Ms. Padgen. I'm so excited to join A2 STEAM this year. I earned my MA in Education from the University of Michigan and have been teaching for the Ann Arbor Schools ever since. Most recently I spent 17 years teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 5th at Mitchell Elementary, an IB World School. I am passionate about teaching children to understand the world around them. Each day in our classroom we focus on meaningful learning, engaged inquiry, and purposeful play.

I am passionate about re-thinking education. I want to empower kids to use their own learning at school to help themselves become better community members and global citizens. I love to create these kinds of experiences through authentic, project-based learning at STEAM!

I have worked with kids and families in a professional capacity since 2000, first as a caregiver for families, then as a site supervisor at the Community Day Care Kids' Club before and after school program at Lawton Elementary School, then as a first grade teacher at Adams STEM Academy in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. I have been at STEAM in my first grade classroom since the very beginning!

Outside of school, I spend my time with friends and family and building healthy habits and hobbies like reading, meditative exercise (yoga and hula hooping), making music, and running a small-scale urban farm out of my home. All of these extracurricular activities enrich and support my work as a teacher here at STEAM.