I have been teaching a very long time! The last 12 (almost 13 years) in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. I worked at Sumac Elementary for 9 years, then came to White Oak in 2005. I love it here and intend to stay!:-) I live in Camarillo with my beautiful family--My husband John, daughters Gabby and Erin, and son Jack who attends 5th grade here at White Oak.

Being a teacher is one of the best parts of my life. I have enjoyed teaching and learning with children from ages 5-8 for the past 27 years. I began my love of learning in South Dakota, where I was born and raised. I attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. I graduated with an Early Childhood minor and an Education Major. Shortly after graduation, I married. The following four years I taught students in first grade and kindergarten. During my second year of teaching, our first daughter was born. My husband had a career opportunity which moved us west. Here in Westlake we made our home and I had my second child, a son. When my son reached kindergarten, I went back to school to fulfill my California credential and fifth year. I attended CSUN and CLU. It was during this year I taught at Westlake Elementary as a long term substitute in a kindergarten. To my delight I interviewed that summer with Las Virgenes and was hired! I began my first year as a first/second grade split teacher at Sumac Elementary. The following year I had the opportunity to transfer to White Oak in first grade. I married my current husband and added three daughters to make our family complete. (Or so we thought!) Since then I have enjoyed being part of the White Oak family, teaching and growing with both kindergarten and first graders. Who could ask for anything better? In 1992 we added a daughter to our mix. Then in 1997 a son was welcomed into our 'yours, mine, and ours.' A complete 7! Today, I am a lucky grandma with 5 more precious children to love. Over the years we have adventured often to Hawaii, Palm Desert, and Northern California, as well as visiting our families in the Midwest and Texas. Being an educator is an amazing career for me. Where else could I learn so many ways to enhance curriculum, and have so many great ideas and lots of help from so many hands? I am definitely the most fortunate person alive-- to love what I chose to do after...27 years! The perks just keep on knocking on my door. (So do my past students I have been blessed to have in class.) My goals for the future are clear. I hope to continue to thrive inside and outside the classroom, growing in mind and heart. I hold these same important goals for each new learner, while providing the stimulating, safe, and exciting place to be!

I am delighted to be teaching 3rd grade this year, and I am looking forward to the many experiences we will share together. My name is Mrs. Murphy and my initials are M.M.M. Thinking about my new 3rd graders brings back many memories of my own childhood. Some of my favorite memories were created at my family's cabin which was located on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean in northern California. This tiny house was formerly used as a migrant laborer's housing. Our family fixed it up and every summer my first clean-up job would be to get up on the roof top and clear off all of the branches and leaves that had piled up during the previous winter. I would gather up bundles of sticks and throw them off the roof, then my Dad would rake them up and get rid of them by building a bonfire. After that, the next job was to help my family put a fresh coat of paint on the outside of the house. It was shocking pink and we named our cabin the 'Pink Palace'. It was surrounded by many interesting things; ocean with the sounds of waves crashing against the cliff below; a eucalyptus forest filled with tall trees and giant nests of Monarch butterflies; railroad tracks with the twice daily sound of the 'Sunlight Special' rumbling by; strawberry fields with ripe, delicious berries growing each summer; and a long trail that led to the beach below. I spent my summer days taking endless walks to and from the beach, as well as along the seashore, and body surfing in the waves. Children of my generation had a lot of freedom combined with the expectation of self discipline and responsibility. I left the house each morning after making my bed and washing the family's breakfast dishes, and doing any other necessary chores, then returned home in the evening in time for dinner. We had no telephone and got our mail in town at the local post office. Looking back it was a wonderful way to grow up. Now that you know some things about me it is my turn to learn about my new 3rd graders. I am looking forward to having a great year watching my new class grow and learn. One of the many things I enjoy about teaching is getting the chance to re-experience things through the fresh perspective of children. I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you!