Our second-grade teacher

Over the last few weeks, we’ve welcomed our incoming staff members and community members who’ve taken larger roles in our school. This week, we’re welcoming our new second-grade teacher, Mrs. Julie Dochow. Mrs. Dochow arrives with her husband, Mr. John Dochow, our Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communication Department, and three of their children.

Mrs. Dochow earned her bachelor’s degree at The Evergreen State College and her master’s at the University of Puget Sound. She’s poured years into varied teaching experiences throughout the United States.

While living in Washington state, Mrs. Dochow taught kindergarten and sixth grade. “I started out with kindergarteners, and I loved them,” she says. “Then, I was assigned sixth graders, and I didn’t know what to expect for such a huge leap in age, but I ended up loving them as well. They can be just as sweet as kindergarteners. So, I’ve enjoyed both extremes of the elementary range.” Of the subjects she taught, she loved science. “It’s the most fun subject for me, the experiments and the wonder of the world around us.”

Her teaching expanded while living in Arizona and Tennessee as she worked as a substitute teacher, tutored students, and homeschooled her children. “It’s very different,” she says regarding homeschooling. “It’s easier and harder in different ways.”

Now, as our second-grade teacher, Mrs. Dochow aims to challenge her students to grow beyond the curriculum. She’d like to focus on enhancing their abilities in academic communication, discussion, cooperation, and collaboration, knowing that the refinement of these abilities will help students “get to a place where they could more effectively do group projects or work cohesively as a group.” One of the tasks students can expect to encounter as a way of strengthening these communication skills is presenting before their peers. While this could be challenging and potentially a new exercise for some, it will prepare students for collaborating in their upcoming years of school and university and even in their careers.

We’re delighted to welcome Mrs. Dochow to our school. She shares with parents, “I am thankful for [your] trust in our school, in allowing [your children] to be part of TIS, and trustworthiness in our education.” Welcome, Mrs. Dochow! We can’t wait to see your students shine.