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    Meet the Teacher
    Ms. Carrie A. Chester

Phone: 734-994-1919

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Teaching Certification, Elementary K-5 all subjects, K-8 all subjects self contained classroom, University of Michigan Masters, Elementary Education, University of Michigan Bachelor of Arts, Self-Designed Concentration in Multicultural Studies, University of Michigan

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  • Before teaching at Burns Park Elementary, I co-founded and worked as the Director of Education and Outreach and, subsequently, as the Director of Communications, for the Sphinx Organization, a non-profit organization that works to promote classical music in underserved communities.

    Having previously completed my undergraduate degree in a self-designed concentration in Multicultural Studies at the University of Michigan, I left Sphinx in 2002 in pursuit of a teaching certificate and master's degree in elementary education at U of M. While completing my degree, I fulfilled my student teaching requirements in a third-grade classroom at MacDowell Elementary in Detroit.
  • A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I have lived in the Ann Arbor area for almost thirty years. I have a partner, Craig, and a dog, Felix.  I also have a son, Noah, who attended Burns Park Elementary, Tappan Middle, and Community High Schools in Ann Arbor and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading, gardening, going for walks with Felix, finding good deals at garage sales, and watching U of M and Pittsburgh sports. Go Blue! Go Steelers and Pens!
     
    During my tenure at Burns Park, I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades as well as a 2/3 split. I have authored reading, writing, and math curricular materials for Burns Park Elementary and AAPS. I have also acted as a mentor for EMU and U of M student teachers and new AAPS teachers as well as served on the Equity, School Improvement, and Responsive Classroom Teams. 
     
    I am an enthusiastic and motivated member of the staff and look forward to working with you to make your child’s elementary experience productive and fun!  
      

    It's my job to surround (kids) with the best role models; 
    authors to whom they can apprentice themselves, 
    books they can lose themselves in, 
    characters who tell them that they're not alone, 
    words that make them think and feel and learn. 

    - Linda Riff, quoted in 
    Fountas & Pinnell,
    Guiding Readers
    and Writers, Grades 3-6