Hi!  My name is Michelle Lee-Reid.  I am a classroom teacher of students with moderate developmental cognitive disabilities (DCD), in grades 2-5.  My program is called Functional Academics.  I teach reading, math, science, social studies, writing, social skills, and functional skills at each student's level in small and large groups.  Our primary math program is Saxon math--a manipulative-based developmental math curriculum.  We are using the Saxon reading program which teaches reading by decoding; I also use a variety of other reading and math curricula to best meet each student's needs.

I send homework home on Wednesdays and it is due the following Tuesday.  Homework is individualized for each student based on his/her IEP goals.  There is usually one sheet of math homework and one reading assignment.  Your child should be able to complete the homework independently, except for parts of the reading homework in which they must read to someone.  Research shows that the more they read, the better readers they become.  

We are an environmental school and, as such, are outside every day unless directed by the principal to stay in due to cold temperatures/wind chills.  We have daily recess, environmental education class, gym class that goes outside, and I take my students out when possible.  In the winter, students cross country ski and snowshoe.  Please remember to make sure your child is prepared for the weather.  In winter, they need to have boots, snowpants, warm mittens, a hat, a warm jacket, and shoes to wear in the building every day.  For pool, they need to have a swimsuit and towel.  Thank you! 

About me:
I started teaching in Minneapolis in 1991.  I am a Dowling parent as well as a teacher.  My oldest daughter Anneliese went to Dowling from kindergarten through fifth grade and is now in high school at South.  My middle daughter Shelby also went to Dowling and is currently at Field Middle School and my son, Joshua, is in 4th grade at Dowling.  I enjoy gardening, walking, biking, traveling, reading, and playing with my children.  My husband works part-time at the Blake School after being a stay-at-home dad for over ten years.  We love to travel as a family and have recently traveled to Italy.  We have also been to Great Britain, Scandinavia, Central Europe, France, New Zealand, and Australia. 

Education:  I have a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Special Education from the University of Minnesota.  I have 2 Bachelor of Science degrees from St. Cloud State University in Special Education (two areas: mild to moderate and severe to profound) and Secondary English/Language Arts.  I hold current teacher licensure in all three areas.

To contact me, please email me at michelle.lee-reid@mpls.k12.mn.us or call before or after school or during my preparation period (2:10-3:10 Monday-Wednesday, 9:40-10:40 Thursday and 1:10-2:10 Friday) at the school number:  612-668-4410.  Please avoid calling during the school day unless it is an immediate concern because it is very distracting for the students and it interrupts my lessons.  I check my voice mail about once per month; that number is 612-668-9158.