Amanda Torres is an Austin original who lives for teachable moments and opportunities to help students grow academically, emotionally, and socially. She is an enthusiastic educator who loves working with the youngest learners. Her goal is to give LTSA’s primary students a solid base from which to build their academic careers and to instill in them a life-long love of learning.
Prior to joining the Lake Travis STEM Academy Faculty, Mrs. Torres taught at a unique school designed for Gifted and Talented learners. She loved working with students ages five to eight in mixed classrooms serving children grades Kindergarten to Fourth. Mrs. Torres taught in a very flexible, project-based, and hands-on environment. She assisted with lesson planning, field trips, creative projects, and special classes including Science, Spanish, Art, Robotics, Emotional Intelligence, P.E., and Innovation. Three of her favorite classes to develop, plan, and facilitate were Edible Science, Brain Power, and Space Exploration. Mrs. Torres taught Kindergarten Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science in Manor ISD. She enjoyed using various technologies to assist student development. Assessment tools including Rigby, DRA, iStation, TEMI, Raz-Kids, and interactive notebooks were used to track student growth in Reading and Math. Her favorite challenge was differentiating instruction for learners during guided and whole group exploration. Mrs. Torres worked graciously with classroom parents in the joint effort of making each student’s first year of school a fun and positive experience.A graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Mrs. Torres holds a Texas Teaching Certification in PreK-Fourth grades, English as a Second Language, and Gifted and Talented. She has received extensive professional development training in the areas of balanced literacy, Math and Science applications, reading and writing programs, and classroom management. Mrs. Torres has been working with students for over ten years. She substitute taught in Austin and surrounding districts before graduating college in 2006. She has taught Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade in both public and private schools and believes that all children deserve individualized attention, positive reinforcement, and unwavering respect.
“My teaching philosophy is simple – I demonstrate to children, parents, and faulty that I truly care for them, and I greatly respect the art and science behind teaching. I do what it takes to provide excellent differentiated instruction to students and clear, constructive communication to all. Working with students is challenging, fun, and full of endless hands-on learning opportunities.”