Hello! My name is Bethany Bell and I am one of the 4th grade teachers at Carpenter. I started my teaching career in the Midwest over a decade ago. Originally from Iowa, I’ve taught grades K-1 and 4th-8th across several different regions of the Midwest, including Waterloo, Iowa, Ann Arbor, Southside Chicago, and northern California as both a special education and a general education teacher. The bulk of my teaching experience has been spent in fourth and fifth grades, an age with whom I particularly enjoy working.  I have a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University.  

As your child’s teacher, it is my goal to empower them with the love of learning.  It is my hope to instill in them a greater sense of curiosity about the world around them so that they can find out what it is that excites them and makes them passionate.  It is my dream to build their confidence in themselves as scholars and as humanitarians so that they can see the value each and every one of us add to our classroom and greater community.  

My family recently returned to Ann Arbor where my husband and I are both proudly involved in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.  We have three sons; Gabe and Oliver are in middle school and Thaddeus is a toddler.  In our spare time, we enjoy watching Michigan football and basketball, being active outside and spending time together reading, baking, and laughing.  

I look forward to getting to know you and your family this year.  You are the expert on your child and I value that expertise in learning how to build a relationship and work with your child.  I would love to get a headstart on learning about your child.  Feel free to contact me to tell me whatever you’re comfortable with me knowing about your child and how they learn best. 

Take care,

Mrs. Bell

bellb@aaps.k12.mi.us