Meet Gillian Armstrong, Cumberland's New Third Grade Teacher

The Whitefish Bay School District hired 22 new teachers this year, and Whitefish Bay Patch hopes to introduce all of them to the community before the school year gets underway.

You can read their stories here.

Today, we will introduce you to third grade teacher Gillian Armstrong.

Teaching Position: I will be teaching third grade at .

Hometown/Current Residence: I grew up here in the Bay! I attended , and . I am thrilled to have an opportunity to give back to the school district that gave me so much as a student! I am currently living with my parents in Whitefish Bay, but my college roommate and I will be moving to an apartment in downtown Milwaukee at the end of the month.

Schooling/Experience: I graduated from Marquette University this spring with a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. During my four years at Marquette, I completed practicum work at several diverse Milwaukee-area schools, including public and charter schools. I also had the unique opportunity to teach and study abroad during my junior year as a participant in Marquette's South Africa Service Learning program. Situated in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, I divided my time between the roles of teacher and student. I provided reading and writing instruction for middle school students living in a poor township outside of Cape Town. I also worked in a kindergarten classroom at a children's home for orphaned, neglected or abused children. My studies were focused on racism, reconciliation and social justice. Studying these topics was especially meaningful within the incredibly relevant context of post-apartheid South Africa.

This summer, I have been busy teaching math to 2nd and 3rd grade students through the Fox Point-Bayside School District Summer School program.

Hobbies: Traveling is a huge interest of mine! So far, I've traveled to four continents. I'm hoping to make it to all seven (yes, including Antarctica!) before I turn thirty. I also enjoy reading and photography.

Favorite Vacation: During high school, I visited several cities in China with the Whitefish Bay High School Choirs. Singing on the Great Wall of China is an experience I will never forget!