Welcome to First Grade!

My name is Mrs. Gahagen and I am excited to start a new successful year of ongoing learning! I come to Craven County with a desire to continue my teaching career as a First Grade Teacher. With over 39 years of experience, I teach with prior knowledge and understanding of what is needed to be a successful teacher and student. Being an active parent of two sons, I know the dedication and committment needed to build strong individuals and positive role models. Within our classroom, we will have a dedication to learn, practice, and grow within the academic year of first grade, so we too, can be a positive role model of first grade. We will understand and practice the need to respect each other and to enjoy the day of schooling with the minimal of disruptions. Being a person of high adventure in the areas of white water rafting, ziplining, fishing, hunting, kayak camping, and much more, I know life can be exciting as we learn new skills and apply what we learn. In first grade, we will learn and apply new skills with adventure! We will explore, create, and perform of what we have learned. 

Parental involvement, day by day, to support what is taught, learned, and applied is needed in all students' lives. Helping with and reviewing nightly homework in a quiet area is a must for homework/practice success. Making sure your child has the day to day supplies needed to perform in a 5 hour work day is also needed to show to your child, it is a team effort when learning in school. Praising your child and reassuring him/her that practice makes perfect, when the days become long and hard, will give your child the needed boost of the days.

So, come with me, and see what amazing skills your child will learn while attending Havelock Elementary School in First Grade!