A Little Bit About Mrs. Herout...

I've want to be a teacher because I like to dress up pretty and give homework.​ ~ Me, 3rd grade

 

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona but spent most of my life in Morris, Illinois. I have one brother and one sister who are both quite a bit younger than me as I always remind them. Now, they tease me for being the "old" one. I graduated from Morris High School in 1999. I didn't stray far for college. I went to the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois which is about 30 minutes southwest of Chicago.  

 

In 2003, I graduated from the University of St. Francis with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. My first job was teaching 1st grade at Wilkins Elementary School just outside of Chicago. I taught 1st grade for two years. I had such an interest in how kids learned how to read so I became a Remedial Reading Teacher. I knew this would be my passion. I loved helping kids with learning difficulties. That same year, I got married to my husband of now almost 10 years. He was an electrician at the time so we moved to Las Vegas for a job that he was doing at Planet Hollywood. 

 

In 2006, I started teaching in Las Vegas at Long Elementary School as a 2nd grade teacher. During this time, my life was changed by a baby boy on June 22, 2007. He is currently a 3rd grader at Triggs. I loved teaching second grade but recognized a need for students that are struggling school wide. The very next year a position for a learning strategist was funded which was my dream job! I worked with kids doing reading intervention all day for two years. I saw such growth in all of the kids I worked with. It was very rewarding which prompted me to pursue my Master's Degree in Literacy. I graduated in August of 2009 with my M.Ed. in Literacy. Due to budget changes, in 2009, I went back into the classroom teaching 3rd grade. It was very rewarding to see kids succeed that I had already worked with for two years. 

 

In January 2010, I decided it was time to for me to use my degree and seek out a position as a literacy specialist. I was hired in February 2010 to open Triggs Elementary School as a Literacy Specialist and have been there ever since. My title has changed over the years, but my drive to help make Triggs the best school in the valley still remains!

 

This summer we welcomed another boy to our family. He was born on the same day as his brother. While it is difficult to leave him at 8 weeks old, I am excited to be back and look forward to what my students can teach me this year!