Hi!  My name is  Nicole Riopelle.  I received a Bachelors of Art degree from Alma College, in Alma, Michigan in 1999.  There I majored in elementary education and minored in sociology and psychology.  Currently, I am working on my master's degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  For five years, I have been teaching third and fourth grade at McKinley Elementary School in Wyandotte, Michigan.  I really enjoy this age group.  The children have an excitement for learning that is truly contagious. 
 

                MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY

 McKinley is a K-6 grade program structured to resemble a real community. The multi-age classroom environment ensures that each classroom is part of the McKinley family.  317 children are enrolled at McKinley making it a small and close knit environment. McKinley "Key" School provides an academic curriculum that offers a variety of educational experiences that foster creativity, enhance learning
and ensure whole brain learning.  Through the use of Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, instruction and activities are planned to accommodate individual differences in learning styles while also offering a holistic development of the child.  Teamwork is also a "Key" component of the program. Partnerships between students, teachers and parents help to make
this unique program a success! 
 

     WYANDOTTE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Wyandotte is a quaint, middle-class community with a population of 28,006.  The district has six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all of which have received NCA Accreditation.  There are also three special needs schools that service Downriver's
special education students.  The mission of the district is to teach all students to be purposeful learners and productive, participating, and caring citizens who will establish and accomplish appropriate goals for both self and community. 

                       TECHNOLOGY

McKinley is at a Mid Tech level as defined by the STaR chart.  We have one computer lab with thirty computers with internet access.  Classrooms are given one 30 minute session per week in the computer lab.  We also have various technology tools such as an LCD projector, Alpha Smarts, and digital cameras, that are shared amongst the school.  The district is in the process of ensuring that all classrooms are online.  Our school, as well as, the district are working extremely hard at implementing technology into our schools and classrooms.  The district goal is to become a model technolog  school in the 21st century.