About Ms. Betley       Welcome to an exciting 5th grade year at Lake Carolina! I am thrilled that your child is a part of "Betley's Brainy Bunch!" Although this is my first year teaching at Lake Carolina, I am not new to the wonderful field of education. I am originally from Buffalo, NY, where I graduated magna cum laude from Canisius College with a BA in elementary education and a minor in Spanish. I also received my Master's degree in Childhood Education from Canisius College. While obtaining my Bachelor's degree I was on the dean's list, as well as a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society. I did my student teaching in 3rd and 6th grade, along with studying abroad in Oviedo, Spain. My first year of teaching involved 5th grade and Spanish at a private school, so I feel I am going back to my roots! I taught 6th grade ELA, as well as 7th grade Spanish at Clarence Middle School for four years before moving to North Carolina. While in North Carolina, I taught 6th grade Math and Science. I was also grade level chairperson and a member of the School Improvement Commitee. I was honored to receive the NCCTM's Outstanding Secondary School Mathematics Teacher award in the 2007-2008 school year! This was an accomplishment due to the fact that teachers from 16 schools in my district were also nominated by their principals. I moved to Columbia just over a year ago, where I taught 6th grade Math at the TWO Academies, a single gender magnet program at Dent Middle School. I received the February Teacher of the Month award while at Dent. I loved teaching at TWO, but knew my strongest passion was in the elementary classroom.      When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family and friends! Did  I mention that my parents and brother are also here in Columbia?! That  was the driving force for my choosing to relocate here. :-) I followed in my mother's footsteps, who moved here after retiring as a 2nd grade teacher in Buffalo! What can I say....the Betley family loves the south, especially Columbia, SC! I enjoy going to the movies, enjoying a Starbucks, while catching up with friends, as well as dining out, reading, and shopping.       I believe that when teachers and parents keep the lines of communication, then we are the strongest members of a child's team, as he/she succeeds, both academically and socially during any given school year. Please do not hesitate to call me or e-mail at any time this school year! :-)