1st Grade » Meet our 1st grade team!

Meet our 1st grade team!

In first grade, students become independent readers and fluent in basic math skills. The Skills strand of the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program teaches students the decoding skills needed for future, independent reading.  The skills gained in first grade will allow students to decode unknown words, spell complex words using spelling patterns and write using correct grammar. The Knowledge strand of the CKLA program is designed to help students build the background knowledge and vocabulary critical to listening and reading comprehension. Through introducing, presenting and discussing read-alouds in each domain, teachers build students’ listening and reading comprehension and oral language skills. Hand in hand, the skills and knowledge gained in CKLA will enable first graders to become fluent readers and writers. Using the Savvas math curriculum, first graders will be able to add and subtract within two digits (with and without regrouping) understand place value to the hundreds, compare numbers, count money, tell time, compose and decompose shapes and use basic measurement to determine the height/length of objects and more. First-grade math is the basis for all mathematic processes to come.

Rachel Burton1. How many years of experience do you have teaching or in the school system? I have been teaching for three years, two years in special education and one year in kindergarten.
2. What made you want to become a teacher or work in a school? I wanted to become a teacher because of a student that I worked with when I worked for MCS Extended School Program. Also, I wanted to become a teacher because I have always enjoyed working with children since the age of 16, and I enjoy being able to create those relationships with my students and their parents. It warms my heart when I run into previous students or families in stores, and they are now finishing high school or have started families of their own and are doing well for themselves.
3. About what are you most excited for working at Cartwright? I am excited to create new relationships with the staff, my students and their families.
4. Is there anything extra you would like to share? I am getting married July 4 to my love and will become Mrs. Carter. I have one older brother and a nephew named Isaiah.
Regina Campbell1. How many years of experience do you have teaching or in the school system? I have 28 years of experience! I taught 1st grade at Southside Elementary.
2. What made you want to become a teacher or work in a school? I had people that inspired me such as Pam Cooper, Wade Hornaday, Judy Hall, Mr. Deery Eakin, Shirley McGee, Nancy Barnett and Mary Tim Cook. Lots of inspiration to be like they are and to have the drive to support students in all aspects of life. I feel like I have a gift of seeing the struggles and common misconceptions. I can see what they need and help them overcome. I can teach a child to read!
3. About what are you most excited for working at Cartwright? A fresh start and meeting new children and families. It’s pretty awesome to be one of the first people to walk into a brand-new school and make new memories and create some fabulous traditions that will be very meaningful. There is always the possibility of seeing children I’ve taught before (as parents or students!) The Southside faculty is all I have ever known; working with new people and learning from them is exciting. We have an awesome principal and assistant principal already! 
Katie Gunn1. How many years of experience do you have teaching or in the school system? I am just finishing my second year of teaching. I have taught 1st grade and kindergarten, and I am so excited to be back in 1st grade for the coming year!
2. What made you want to become a teacher or work in a school? I have always dreamed of being a teacher and working to make a difference in children's lives. I was previously working with early intervention and decided to have a career change and explore the classroom environment; I completely fell in love. Since my first day with my students, I could not imagine being anywhere else. My heart belongs in the classroom!
3. About what are you most excited for working at Cartwright? I am so looking forward to building relationships with both the staff and students at Cartwright and thankful to be a part of the inaugural year.
4. Is there anything extra you would like to share? I have three wonderful children, two beautiful girls and one brand new, sweet boy who joined us May of 2024. They are great supporters of my work and love to be in the classroom and play teacher at home. I also love to sing and am a part of the worship team at my church. I love to incorporate music into my life and classroom in any way I can!
Caron Lovvorn-Burr1. How many years of experience do you have teaching or in the school system? I have 20 years of experience! I taught 1st grade for 18 years, one year of 2nd grade, and one year of 5th grade, all at Southside Elementary.
2. What made you want to become a teacher or work in a school? I worked at SACP during high school and college and fell in love with the school environment and students. I saw the passion teachers like Mary Tim Cook and Regina Campbell had as they worked late to create lessons and units that kept students engaged and excited. They’d even come check on kids I had in SACP. I wanted to be someone the children could count on, like those ladies were. I’ve been here ever since. 
3. About what are you most excited for working at Cartwright? I’m excited about the opportunity to start new traditions and grow my career experience with new colleagues. It will be exciting to meet new families and students and make more connections in our community. We get to knit together a brand-new story. What an honor to be first to teach in a brand-new building!
1. How many years of experience do you have teaching or in the school system? The 2024-25 school year will be my second year teaching and my third year working in the school system.
Riley Roberts
2. What made you want to become a teacher or work in a school? I worked right out of college as a speech-language pathologist assistant at Cascade, Community and Liberty. During that year, I fell in love with being in the 
classroom, and I decided that I wanted to be an elementary teacher (specifically 1st grade!)
3. About what are you most excited for working at Cartwright? I am most excited about working at Cartwright because of the amazing team I am joining! I have lived in Shelbyville my whole life, and I attended BCS from kindergarten to 12th grade, so I am so excited to be giving back to this wonderful community!
4. Is there anything extra you would like to share? I am also getting married this June, so I will be going by Mrs. Simmons next school year. I am so excited to be at Cartwright! Go Colts!