Alexis Flanders
The Person Behind the Portfolio
Hi, I’m Alexis Flanders! I am a third-grade teacher in Waverly Community Schools who believes learning should spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and remind students that mistakes are an essential part of growth. Whether I’m designing technology-rich lessons, coaching students through challenging math problems, or exploring a new hobby myself, I believe learning is at its best when we stay curious!
My Teaching Journey
Teaching has given me the opportunity to serve students in Arizona, Hawaiʻi, and Michigan, and I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything. Each community has taught me something different about education and about myself. My years in Arizona helped me build a strong foundation in mathematics instruction and classroom leadership. Teaching in Hawaiʻi broadened my perspective as I worked with students from diverse cultural backgrounds and learned the importance of building meaningful relationships with families and communities. Now, teaching in Michigan continues to challenge me to grow through collaboration, innovation, and a renewed focus on integrating meaningful technology into learning.
No matter where I’ve taught, my purpose has remained the same: to create a classroom where students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn. Watching students grow in confidence, embrace challenges, and discover their own potential is what makes this profession so meaningful to me. Teaching is more than my career. It is truly my passion, and I feel incredibly fortunate to do work that inspires me every day.
Beyond the Classroom
When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll usually find me exploring creativity in a different way. I enjoy crocheting, creating stained glass, running, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Whether I’m playing co-ed softball, hiking a new trail, cheering on my favorite football team, or spending time with my yellow lab, Koa, I feel most at home when I’m outdoors.
Another one of my passions is traveling. I love experiencing new cultures, exploring unfamiliar places, and seeing the world through different perspectives. Every adventure reminds me that learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms. It happens through curiosity, conversation, and stepping outside of what is familiar. Those experiences continually shape how I teach, how I connect with others, and how I encourage my students to approach the world with open minds and a sense of wonder.
Iceland– Netherlands – England – Niagara Falls
My family and friends are my greatest source of support. They have celebrated every milestone, encouraged me through every challenge, and never stopped believing in me, even when I questioned myself. They remind me to laugh, to stay curious, and to keep chasing the things that matter most. I truly would not be the person or educator I am today without them, and I am incredibly grateful to have them by my side.
No matter where I am, I try to approach life the same way I approach teaching: with curiosity, a willingness to try new things, and the belief that some of the best learning happens when we step outside our comfort zones.
Current Learning
One of the greatest lessons I have learned throughout the MAET program is that meaningful learning never truly ends. I am always looking for opportunities to grow, whether that means deepening my understanding of mathematics education, exploring new educational technologies, strengthening my instructional design skills, or expanding my knowledge of computational thinking. I am currently participating in the LETRS professional learning program to deepen my understanding of the science of reading, and I am also exploring the possibility of pursuing a graduate degree focused on mathematics education. Outside of education, I enjoy learning through hobbies and new experiences, such as learning how to make a local dish in a new country. I believe that staying curious not only makes me a better educator, but also allows me to model lifelong learning for my students every day.
Fun Facts
- I’m a first generation collage graduate
- I’ve lived in Hawai’i, Michigan, New Hampshire, Florida, and Arizona
- I’ve visited 18 countries (and counting!)
- Football season is one of my favorite times of the year
- My yellow lab, Koa, is my favorite adventure buddy
- I love making things, whether that’s coding a project, building with classroom technology, or creating something by hand
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me. I hope this page has offered a glimpse into the experiences, people, and passions that have shaped who I am as both a person and an educator. If you’d like to learn more about my journey, I invite you to explore the rest of my portfolio, where you’ll find the projects, reflections, and experiences that continue to inspire my growth as a lifelong learner.
Alexis Flandes 