1st Graders at Carlthorp School are pros at the ins and outs of how the school works.
Responsive classroom continues with daily Morning Meetings focused on reinforcing the importance of community. Students are given opportunities to be comfortable speaking in front of their classmates and teachers. In 1st Grade the students develop more independence.
They are expanding their critical thinking and problem-solving skills that were introduced in Kindergarten. They continue learning through the core subjects of reading workshop, writing workshop, guided reading, CGI (cognitively guided instruction) and math workshop. 1st Graders are becoming strong readers and writers.
In the winter, the students invite parents to join them for the 1st Grade Breakfast. The students are the hosts of the breakfast and have the opportunity to present their favorite work in an interactive way while learning to be gracious hosts. The school year ends with an Author’s Share, an opportunity for our 1st Graders to proudly showcase work that exemplifies the growth they’ve made throughout the year.

Meet the Team

List of 4 items.

  • Keara Devitt

    Keara is eager to begin her sixth year teaching at Carlthorp School and ninth year as an educator in Los Angeles. She values helping her students develop critical thinking skills as academic scholars and fostering their social and emotional growth. Originally from Long Island, New York, she is the youngest of seven children. In 2010, she traveled to California for college to pursue her teaching degree and professional career. She attended the University of San Francisco and earned a B.A. in Psychology and a master's in Elementary Education. She later attended Mount Saint Mary’s University and completed the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing program. In her free time, Keara enjoys the outdoors, running, and doing yoga.

  • Tiffany Neilson

    Ms. Tiffany Neilson is excited to teach 1st grade again alongside Ms. Julie Paiva. Prior to Carlthorp, she taught for five years at Kenter Canyon Elementary School, where she was involved in many extracurricular committees, including the instructional leadership team, student leadership council, social committee, and governance. She loves being a part of the Carlthorp School community and inspiring children to learn and reach their highest potential. Tiffany was born and raised in Valencia and attended Concordia University in Irvine, where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While attending CUI, she played intercollegiate volleyball. Her experience as a student-athlete fostered perseverance, commitment, teamwork, and leadership. Following college, Tiffany spent a year abroad in Rome, living with an Italian family and working as an au pair. During this time, she immersed herself in the culture and discovered a passion for traveling. When she isn’t teaching, you can probably find her at the beach playing volleyball, reading, listening to music, cooking, or traveling. She enjoys attending live theater, learning about nutrition, visiting art museums, and spending time with her two nieces.
  • Jenny Morgan

    Jenny is a proud Southern California native from Palos Verdes. She graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Television. Shortly thereafter, Jenny felt the call to work with young people, which led her to USC’s Rossier School of Education, where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching. While completing her M.A., Jenny taught a summer kindergarten readiness program, and also began teaching a 6th and 7th grade study skills course at Rolling Hills Country Day School, which she continued to do for three years. Just prior to joining the Carlthorp School team, Jenny taught 11th and 12th grade English Language Arts at YES Prep East End in Houston, Texas, an urban charter school that serves mostly underprivileged students. 

    This is Jenny’s ninth year at Carlthorp School, where she has taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and 4th grade. She is thrilled to be with the 1st grade team. In her free time, Jenny enjoys being with family and friends, riding her beach cruiser on The Strand and appreciating the California sunshine!

  • Julie Paiva

    Julie is excited to return for her sixth year of teaching at Carlthorp School. Prior to Carlthorp, she spent 16 years teaching at the elementary level in Brentwood’s Kenter Canyon School of Advanced Studies. She has a passion for inspiring students to become lifelong learners and compassionate members of the community. Julie graduated from UC Davis with her bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Communications, and a minor in Theater. She went on to receive her Masters in Teaching and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chapman University. In 2009, Julie was awarded the Lori Petrick Award for Excellence in Education from the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys writing, performing, being outdoors, and traveling to new places.