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Teacher Biographies
Margie Smith
Dave Galler
| | I've been a teacher here at Forest Ranch School since December of 1988. It was always a dream, when I moved to Forest Ranch in 1978, that I would be a teacher at our local school.
Chico was my home for many years. I graduated from Chico State University in 1975, with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts and Liberal Studies. I founded the Tiny Tot program, serving preschool children, for CARD in 1975. Later, using my units in Early Childhood Education, I became an Administrator/Teacher of a state-funded preschool in Chico.
Then I moved to Forest Ranch, and started my own pre-school/day care, called Treehouse PreSchool. In 1982, I closed my preschool and became the Instructional Aide for Forest Ranch Elementary School.
Fall, 1987, I went back to CSUC to earn my elementary teaching credential in May, 1988. I was lucky enough to start my teaching career as a part time teacher for Chico Unified School District in December, 1988. I also had some experience as a Fine Arts Specialist for CUSD. I have had the opportunity to teach in 1st through 6th grade, at a few of our local schools.
Music and gardening are a big emphasis in my teaching. Since I've taught in Forest Ranch, I've developed the Community Garden as a service learning project. I am the Service Learning site representative. Every year, my students develop the scenery and perform in a musical to entertain the local community. Donations are accepted for this event and the proceeds go to the garden project.
I received my CLAD credential in August, 2001. In August, 2003, I was trained to be a screener for Irlen Visions, identifying children with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. This screening/assessment is yet another piece of the puzzle to help identify and help children with problem areas.
As you can see, children have been my love for many years. If I can spark the interest and love of learning in just one child, I've succeeded.
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| | Dave Galler is the fourth, fifth and sixth grade teacher at Forest Ranch Elementary School. After receiving his multiple certification and Single Subject credential in Social Science in 1990 from Chico State University, Dave was a substitute teacher before coming to Forest Ranch School in the winter of 90/91.
Dave remembers that there was a good amount of snowfall that year at the old campus and after living in Plumas County and loving the mountains, he knew Forest Ranch would be a great place to live and teach. Dave taught part-time that first year and shared the 5/6 graders with the principal at the time, Mrs. Breyfogle.
In the fall of 1991, Dave became a full time teacher at the old school and was assigned the 3rd and 4th grade class in what is now the Community Center. Dave remembers turning on the old gas furnances to warm up the school house and using the stage in the back of the room for instructional effect. That year the school moved to its present location and Dave has been residing in Room 1 since that time. The trees outside his classroom next to the sidewalk were planted by Mr. Sidebotham's students that first year. Dave has taught 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5 combo classes since then.
Dave's interests include: photography, pottery, bicycling, music, skiing and travel.
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