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Greetings Families and Friends of Barry Goldwater!  

Welcome to my teacher page.  I'm Julianne Bjerkestrand, known as "Mrs. B" on campus, and I currently teach English 3-4 and English 1-2.  I am also a Special Education teacher and service coordinator.  I joined the staff at Goldwater in August 2024, and immediately I felt at home.  I have previously taught 7th and 8th grade English, as well as third and second grade.  I absolutely love teaching, and my favorite thing is teaching high school students!  

I am a native to Arizona, born and raised here in Phoenix and attended local schools nearby.  My father was also a high school English teacher, and my hope is to carry on the legacy of learning that he left behind.  My husband is also a middle school math teacher and athletic coach, and together we have six children; two attend high school in Deer Valley School District, one is attending early college, and three are in the lower grades.  Most importantly, we have our beloved Yellow Labrador Mia, who keeps us on our toes!

Aristotle said, "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." I believe this quote to be my personal mission statement. I try to live by this statement each day with my students, because first they must feel safe, loved, and respected in my classroom.  I believe that a positive classroom culture is imperative to learning, and my students thrive in an engaging and fun academic setting where their voice is heard, valued, and integrated into everything that we do.  

Family involvement is key to academic success.  I am always available to chat, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and partnering with you as your student grows this year!  GO BULLDOGS!