Hi 6th graders!¬† My name is Mrs. Gillespie ( say it “Guh-less-pea”) and I’m the math teacher for the American League.¬† While this is my first year here at GMS, it will be my 9th year teaching middle school math.¬† I’m so excited to have a great year learning with you all.

I just moved to Geneseo from the Chicago suburbs this summer with my husband Ryan and my two children.¬† Gavin will be 6 this month and starts Kindergarten this year, and Declan is 3 1/2 (hey, I’m a math teacher, I have to use fractions, right?!).¬† So although I’m an experienced math teacher, I’m new to GMS just like you.¬† We’re in this adventure together!

Gavin, Declan and I on the train at Niabi Zoo.¬† We’ve visited a lot of the Quad City hot spots this summer!

I LOVE math, but I have other interests too.¬† I enjoy running and will be an assistant coach for both the GMS cross country and track teams.¬† I love doing anything that involves being outside.¬† I also really enjoy singing and I sing with my church’s choir.

I’m also a big sports fan, both professional and college level.¬† I went to the University of Iowa, so you’ll see lots of Iowa gear in my classroom.¬† I love to cheer on the Hawkeye football and basketball teams, and I’m so excited to live much closer to Iowa City so I can attend more games.¬† I’m mostly a fan of Chicago teams.¬† I love the Blackhawks, Bulls and Bears.¬† But you might be surprised to find out that I don’t cheer for the Cubs or Sox but rather the St. Louis Cardinals!¬† Each year my extended family travels down to St. Louis to catch a series and it’s one of my favorite traditions.

Me, my husband and my boys meeting Fredbird down in St. Louis

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little better.¬† I can’t wait to meet all of you!¬† I look forward to seeing you on Back to School Night on August 12th from 5-7, and on our first day on Thursday, August 13th!¬† Enjoy these last few days of summer break!¬† And here’s a little peek at room 605:

A great place to learn some math!