About the Reviewer:
Nadine Valukas is currently an undergraduate student in the
Elementary Education program through Northern Arizona University's
Tucson based cohort. Nadine discovered her interest for teaching
while she attended the Scottsdale Culinary Institute Le Cordon
Bleu in 2000. On many occasions, she was able to assist the
teaching chefs with lessons and instruction. Upon graduation,
her teaching skills were put on the "back burner" to advance
her on-going 10 years in the restaurant business.
Realizing that her passion for teaching would not die down,
Nadine decided in 2003 to pursue her teaching degree. She
chose the elementary education program because of its range
in instructional subjects and for the literary texts used
for the age group. Nadine has a long history and real enthusiasm
for reading, and she looks forward to sharing her favorite
books with children. She loves to work with children and believes
that the arts can be found in everything.
Much of her time off is spent in outdoor activities or creative
expression such as dance, playing musical instruments, knitting,
attending fine arts programs, or painting. Nadine believes
that her skills and creativity will help to make her classroom
an exciting and stimulating environment for children. (Fall
2004)