2023 Early Childhood Education I, II, and III (updated 10/12/2023) Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the page so you don't miss any information!

 

My name is Lori Whatley and I teach Early Childhood Education I, II, and III.  I am a product of the McDuffie County Schools and a 1991 Thomson High School honor graduate. I am married to Coach Steven Whatley (THS Class of 1989).  We have two sons--Ford (THS Class of 2016) and Sawyer (THS Class of 2021).  We are proud to have children who are and will be third generation graduates from Thomson. Ford is a physical education teacher in Pensacola, Florida and is enjoying married life with our sweet daughter-in-love Kennedy. Sawyer lives in Augusta, goes to Augusta University, and is majoring in History/Secondary Education. He is also on the AU Track and Field team. My daddy, Bo (THS class of 1967), began the Thomson High tradition for me as a child. There is no feeling like visiting the THS Media Center and seeing his MVP basketball trophy with on the shelf. What a blessing to be a part of the Thomson Bulldogs as a legacy!

 

I graduated from THE University of Georgia with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1995 and returned to my hometown to begin my teaching career at Dearing Elementary School.  I also taught at Thomson Elementary School before transferring to my alma mater to teach in the CTAE Department. This school year, 2023-2024, is the beginning of my 29th year in education.  I also hold a M.Ed. in Reading Education and am a certified reading specialist. I obtained my Ed.S in Teaching and Learning from Augusta University. I also hold certifications in special education and gifted education.

 

My students will tell you I have a passion for teaching. They know how much I love being here working with them each day.  In addition to teaching and supporting my children and students in their many endeavors, I enjoy worshiping at Mill Creek Baptist Church in Gibson, returning to running, reading, cooking, decorating, and collecting vintage treasures (some may call junk). I am a HUGE Georgia Bulldog fan.

 

If teaching were easy, everyone would do it! I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love of all things education, lifelong learning, and the joy of persevering. 

 

 

*Student ID (required to enter classroom)

*3 ring binder with tabbed dividers dedicated to this class only (notebook must be maintained as part of the formative/learning goals assessments grade for the class--if students fail to do this they will receive a 0 every time a notebook grade is taken) Notebook MUST be left in classroom daily. Notebook may not be shared with another class. Email me with any questions about this requirement.

*notebook paper

*blue/black ink pens and pencils (your preference)

*highlighters

*glue sticks/scotch tape (1 roll)

*Post-It notes (optional, but a good item to have)

*Students are given a student email and work can be saved via Google Drive, but a flash drive may be helpful.

*For projects, some markers and colored pencils will be available, but it might be helpful if you bring your own so you don’t have to share.

*Free account to quizlet.com (this is how we will complete our vocabulary) Use your school email and password to set up this free account. There is also an app so you can use your phone. You can wait to do this until it is time for us to use quizlet for an assignment.