Hello! My name is Mrs. Raffel and I am your child's teacher! Welcome to the LLD class at Dorchester Elementary School. I am very excited to be working with all of your children in the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. This is my seventh year teaching at Dorchester and my 15th year of my teaching career. I graduated in May 2007 from Marist College with a B.A. in Elementary Education/Special Education. I have both my NJ certification in Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12. I have a Masters Degree from Montclair State University in Child Advocacy.
My first teaching job was at the Institute for Educational Achievement in New Milford, NJ. This is where I was trained in the science of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA therapy). I spent two years there and then took my talents to PS #4 in West New York, NJ. I was the self contained 3rd/4th teacher for 3 years and spent 3 more years there as the K-2 LLD teacher. I am very excited to share my experience and passion for teaching to Woodcliff Lake again this year!
In our classroom we focus on teaching each individual child to be successful in all areas focusing on language/communication, literacy, math and social skills. We also will have small groups once a cycle to focus on science concepts and social studies units. We will be using discrete trial teaching for individualized programs that are written specifically for your child to help them work 1:1 on certain skills. Please see the ABA link on my website for more information on the principles of ABA therapy that we will be using in our classroom.
I am the mother of 3 beautiful boys; Aiden, Noah and Tyler. When I am not teaching I spend my time at home with my husband Zak, our 3 boys and our dog Tango in Hillsdale, NJ. We love to spend time together especially at the zoo or the park!
I am always an email, phone call or note away so please never hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the school year. I look forward to working with each and every one of you!
Mrs. Kirsten Raffel