My name is Monica Evon, and I am a third grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School in Bellevue, Nebraska.  I was born in Belleville, Illinois and spent much of my younger years moving around since my father was in the Air Force.  After my twin sisters were born we moved to Hawaii and then Ohio.  We spent a little over a year in Wisconsin living near my grandpa and grandma, while my father served in Vietnam.  Our next two destinations were Colorado and Germany before moving to Nebraska.  My dad spent 26 years in the Air Force before retiring.  He is also retired from the United States Postal Service.  My mom is retired from the Bellevue Public Schools after spending 18 years as a paraprofessional.  Your children will talk a lot about my mom, Mrs. Horne since she helps out in our classroom.  I have an older sister Terry and younger twin sisters Sonya and Stacy.  We all live in the metro area with the exception of my sister Stacy who lives in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful family.  My husband Steve and I have been married for 21 years.  He is a defense contractor for General Dynamics.  Steve is also retired from the Nebraska Air National Guards after 23 years.  If your children come home with Kurtis and Kyle stories they will be talking about my two sons.  My oldest son Kurtis graduated from Bellevue West a year ago and is  attending the University of NE at Omaha.  Kyle is currently a junior at Bellevue West.  Meet Koko our beloved two year old beagle! 

I am a Bellevue West graduate.  After graduation, I attended Wayne State College where I earned my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and Special Education K-12.  One of my student teaching experiences was through the Cooperative Urban Teacher Education Program.  Through this program, I student taught in Kansas City, Kansas and had the opportunity to live in a public housing development and teach in an inner city school.  I learned one of my most valuable teaching lessons~all students can learn!  In the summer of 1992, I completed my Masters Degree in Elementary Counseling through the University of NE at Omaha. 

In the summer of 1986, I was offered a teaching position at Jefferson Elementary, in the Omaha Public School District.  At Jefferson, I taught in a self-contained special education room with first through third graders and also taught first grade  for two years.  After completion of my Masters Degree, I was offered a counseling position at Walnut Hill Elementary.  In the fall of 1993, I was offered an early childhood counseling position for the Bellevue Public Schools and jumped at the opportunity.  I was early childhood/elementary counselor for five years and then requested a return to the classroom.  For the next five years I was a first and second grade teacher at Betz Elementary.  This will be my sixth year teaching third grade at Fairview.  I feel honored and privileged to teach every child who walks through my classroom door.   

When I am not teaching or spending time at school, you will find me spending time with my family.  Our family loves to travel and we look forward to our vacations. Our latest adventure took us to Colorado where we spent an adventurous day white water rafting. Our family spent some time in Denver and went to a Rockies game. We also spent some time hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Last November, our family went to our first NFL football game. We watched the Broncos beat the Chiefs, and we hope to attend more professional sporting event in the future. Last summer we spent a week in Chicago.  One of my favorite vacation was spending an amazing week in New York City. Here is a video of New York which was created by Kurtis.  Some of our other "favorite" trips took us to Washington DC, Cape Cod, Boston, Colorado Springs, Branson, and Mackinaw Island.  In addition to traveling, I love to cook, write, go for walks, read, and eat out.

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One of my favorite books:  32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny written by: Phillip Done

Favorite Movie ~ Pay It Forward

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.  ~Lily Tomlin

Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way. ~ George Evans

Every person is gifted in some area.  We just have to find out what. ~ Evelyn Blose Holman

When someone is taught the joy of learning it becomes a lifelong process that never stops. That is the challenge and joy of teaching.  ~ Marva Collins