Welcome to 5th Grade! We love teaching and we really LOVE being a part of the Orenda family. This is going to be a great year. We have lots of exciting events planned. This gives you an opportunity to learn a little bit more about us! You might have already caught our now famous "Dancing Queen" and poetry act performance from last year's Cabaret for Lucas. You should meet the women behind all the bellbottoms and ruffles!
Here's some fun facts about the 5th Grade Teachers:
Emily Applegate
Favorite Book - I do love the Harry Potter series, but another FAVE book is Love that Dog, by Sharon Creech.
Favorite Subject - If I can read about it, I love it...but, mostly I LOVE to teach science!!!
Top Three Things to Do My Lifetime -I have been to Paris, but not UP the Eiffel tower, I must see the PYRAMIDS and I would love to hit all seven continents with both feet running : )
Family Life -My dad is a retired high school teacher from Maple Hill and my mom is a social worker in Hudson, NY. My two brothers both live in Albany...I see them all on the weekends.
Hobbies -I sing in the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society and I go to the gym, Planet Fitness (once in a while). I have a little house in Malta that is getting painted and repaired slowly...it's a hobby!
What I do in my free time - run, bike or walk to Round Lake, meet friends at the movies or in Saratoga, watch quality programming on tv : ) and READ, READ, READ!
Birthday -Ground Hogs' Day! (Should be a National Holiday!) February 2nd!!!
Favorite Color -purple, purple, purple...lavender is good too.
Music -I love all different kinds of music: jazz, classical, rock, etc. This summer I saw the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC, as well as Nickelback and Kenny Chesney!
Pets -I have two cats who are imported from Virginia (from my days in Alexandria) Their names are Sassafras (Sassy!) and Spooky (yes, a black cat for Halloween!)
Favorite Food - sushi, salad, salmon and other letter s foods...
Judy Beyer
Favorite Book - I love to read mysteries. My top pick to this day is Switch. It kept me in suspense until the very end! Marley and Me is my second choice.
Favorite Subject -Too hard to select, I really love them all.
Top Three Things to Do in My Lifetime: To chase a tornado, visit all the states in the United States, and backpack through Italy.
Family Life -I have an amazing husband, Dolph. We call him the gentle giant. He is 6 feet, 5 inches tall. I have three wonderful children- Michael (14) High School West, Lexie (11) Gowana Middle school, and Danny(8) Orenda Elementary.
Hobbies -I always stay busy. My husband and I enjoy remodeling our home, attending sporting events, jogging, and walking Libby in the park. Gardening is another passion. I also love the ocean especially playing in the waves.
What I do in my free time -Watch basketball and football games. Both of my boys play. I also enjoy reading books and listening to my daughter play the piano.
Birthday -My birthday is July 17th!
Favorite Color -Any shade of purple!
Music -Rush-their lyrics are amazing!
Pets -I have a Golden Retriever named Libby Lou, a guinea pig named Romei, 2 fish, and a tree frog. I love animals!
Favorite Food -Anything Italian especially pizza!
Maureen Corrigan
Favorite Book - I am a huge fan of the entire Harry Potter Series (Ron Weasley is by far my favorite character in the book - so loyal and loving!!)
Favorite Subject - I love them all - how could I choose just one?
Top Three Things to Do My Lifetime - Wow - tough question. I would love to travel the world. There are so many amazing things to see and do! I would like to have children someday - maybe go back to school and learn something new!
Family Life - I'll start with my husband, Brian! I have two wonderful parents, Tim and Gail!! I have one brother, Brendon, and one sister, Courtney. My father comes from a huge family, so we are always getting together (usually to eat!) I have one adorable niece, Cailin, and one nephew on the way!
Hobbies - I am the Assistant Coach for the Freshman Girl's Soccer Team. We have an awesome team this year and look forward to a great season. I read A LOT and Shopping is always a favorite activity (my husband would not agree with that one =))!
What I do in my free time - I play soccer on Sunday nights. I have always played and really enjoy it! I love getting together with friends, family, and neighbors. I enjoy going out to dinner. I love going to the movies!!
Birthday - My birthday is June 26th!
Favorite Color - Green!
Music - I like a lot of different types of music. My favorite artist is John Mayer. His music is very relaxing and mellow.
Pets - We have one dog named Murphy. He is a rescue mutt from Homeward Bound. We also have two cats, Peanut and Ocho. One big happy family!
Favorite Food - Mexican, Italian, Sushi! I'm not picky - as long as it's yummy!!
Ellen Strauss
Favorite Book - Water For Elephants
Favorite Subject - All subjects interest me which is one of the reasons to teach elementary school.
Top Three Things to Do In My Lifetime I hope to make a difference in my students' lives, watch my children grow and prosper, and travel to many different places.
Family Life - My husband and I have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Hobbies -My many interests include singing in a chorus, belonging to a book group, golfing, exercising, knitting, and ushering for many theaters in the Capital District.
What I do in my free time - I love to travel with my family and visit my children. A book is always within reach!
Birthday - July 29th
Favorite Color - All the colors in the rainbow
Music -Beatles, Beethoven, and Blues
Pets -My daughter's Yorkie, Stella
Favorite Food - Chocolate
This page is
maintained in accordance with Shenendehowa's web publishing guidelines by
E. Applegate,
J. Beyer,
M. Corrigan, and
E. Strauss.