Welcome to Saint Philip the Apostle Catholic School!  My name is Nicole Steer, and I am the first grade teacher.  This is currently by 11th year teaching first grade here, and I have been able to use  my experiences to further my knowledge of the curriculum, age appropriate expectations, and my personal teaching philosophy.   Before beginning my career as Saint Philip's, I received my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Frostburg State University, and I spent an additional two years there earning a Master's Degree in Reading Education.  During my time here, I have been blessed to receive the school's Teacher of the Year Award in 2017 and the Archdiocese of Washington's Golden Apple Award that same year.  My classroom fully utilizes the Responsive Classroom© strategies and beliefs.  This allows our first graders to have some autonomy in their learning, and it allows us to focus a great deal on social and emotional education.  When I am not at school, I find joy in spending time with my husband and my little, black pug Gus.  They are very supportive of the time that I dedicate to my students on a daily basis.