Ms. Joanne Fowerbaugh

Inclusion/Resource Teacher

Welcome to Ms. Fowerbaugh's teacher webpage

I have been an Inclusion/Resource teacher at Owen Valley High School, since August 1991. I graduated from the University of St. Francis in 1986 with my Bachelor's degree. I taught at Warsaw Middle School for two years from 1986-1988. Then I was fortunate enough to be accepted into Purdue University to pursue my Masters degree full-time. I was a grad student, as well as, working as a teaching assistant in the School of Education from 1988-1991.

I am co-teaching 2 Basic Skills classes this year (2024-2025). A Basic Skills class is like a study hall where students with an IEP have time to work on daily assignments or finish tests and quizzes. It is also a place where students can be retaught skills/lessons, ask questions, and get extra help.

I will be an inclusion teacher for 4 periods, working with other teachers in their classrooms. I will be in Mrs. Woodruff's Algebra II classes for 1st and 3rd period, Ms. McMillan's 2nd and 6th period English 12B classes, as well as, the two Basic Skills classes.

I am looking forward to starting my 36th year of teaching. I cannot wait to get to know my new freshmen and help all my students be successful.

I like to spend time with my family (I have 1 brother and 3 sisters who all live in northern Indiana.) I always go up to visit and stay at my parent's farm for part of the summer. I'm a farmgirl and know how to drive most of the farm equipment. My family raises sheep and grain crops. I have 18 nieces and nephews that I love to pieces - their ages range from 8 to 24 yrs. old. I am a great-aunt to Matthew who is 2 years old and Grey who will be 1 year old. I also have 1 dog - Inky a lab/terrier mix who still acts like a puppy (she's 4 years old). I hope to get a puppy soon since I lost my other dog last year. I love fur babies and I spoil them rotten. I like to be crafty and artistic when I have time by painting, drawing, and creating jewelry to name a few of my hobbies. I enjoy being outdoors planting flowers and tending my garden. I love to read when I have the chance - especially mysteries, historical fiction, and some non-fiction. One of my goals someday is to publish and illustrate a children's book. I look forward to traveling and flying to more states, as well as, internationally. One goal that I have is to visit all 50 states (I've been to 23 so far). For 2 weeks in June 2018, I visited two of my friends (they were exchange students in my senior year of high school) in Denmark and Sweden. I traveled to Italy for 15 days in the summer of 2023 and had a wonderful time. I am planning a trip to Scotland in the Fall of 2025. I have many more countries on my bucket list to visit - Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland to name a few. (I just have to save up the money - lol) You will also see that I have a fondness for wearing bright colors - especially tie-dye.

Contact Information:

Inclusion/Resource Teacher

Special Education Department

Daytime Phone: (812) 829-2266; ext. 6257 (please leave a message as I won't be in that room except during my 7th period prep)

After school until 9:00 pm - Phone: (812) 269-6523 (Unfortunately, I don't have good cell service at my house. It is better if you try to text me, those sometimes go through.)

However, the best way to contact me is using the school email address. My Email: jfowerbaugh@socs.k12.in.us

(Please give me 24 business hours to respond to your message.)

Grading Scale for Academic Classes: 45% Semester 1; 45% Semester 2 and 10% Final Exam

The teacher that I am an inclusion teacher with will determine the specific percentage breakdown in the English and Algebra classes.

Grading Scale for Basic Skills: 50% Semester 1 and 50% Semester 2, because there is no Final Exam for this class.

In the Basic Skills classes, student's grades are based on completing and working on assignments and weekly points are based on the student having passing grades in all his/her classes (not including Basic Skills).

Basic Skills Expectations:

1. Be your best all the times

· Always do your own work

· Put forth effort instead of “just rushing” to get it done

· Keep working at it and never give up

2. Be respectful to the teachers, other students and yourself

· Follow all directives given by the teacher(s) or staff in the room

· Keep hands to self

· Respect others’ property by leaving it alone

· Always put away materials used by cleaning up before the bell rings

· Always speak using appropriate language and wear school appropriate clothing

3. Be prepared when the bell rings

· Have your materials ready to go every day: pencil, paper, Chromebook charged

4. Be positive and set a good example

· Pay attention, participate and ask questions when needed

· Stay tuned in and keep earbuds out of your ears

· Help and be considerate to others

5. Be responsible for yourself and actions

· All handbook rules will be enforced in the classroom

Class Rules:

1. Food and drink are not allowed in classroom, except water

· Resource Room is closed during lunch

2. Turn off cell phones and electronic devices when entering the room - each student will have an assigned pocket to put his/her phone in upon entering the room - if need be.

· Cellphones and game devices are NOT allowed during class

· Earbuds taken out

· Chromebooks should only be used for completing work NOT playing games

· Absolutely no streaming of music or videos on Chromebooks

3. Arrive to class on time and ready to learn

· You must be in the room before the bell rings or you will be marked tardy

· Remain in seat until the bell rings and/or teacher dismissal

4. Always use polite and appropriate language

5. Do not cheat, plagiarize or copy others work (this includes AI)

My schedule 2nd semester of 2024-2025

1st period: Analytical Alg. IIA with Mrs. Woodruff

2nd period: English 12B with Ms. McMillan

3rd period: Analytical Alg. IIB with Mrs. Woodruff

5th period: Basic Skills - Mr. Klyczek and I co-teach

6th period: English 12B with Ms. McMillan

7th period:

Prep

This is a good time to reach me.

8th period: Basic Skills - Mr. Klyczek and I co-teach

My Family last year - some are being silly.

Silly family picture on the farm (2021)

All 29 of us smiling - mostly ;) (2021)

I would rather own little and see the world than own the world and see little of it

Today you have a choice. You can choose between anger and love, division and unity, frustration and hop, selfishness and giving, turning away and showing up. Choose kindness and the choice is simple, it's hard to regret being kind.

Let your smile change the world, but don't let the world change your smile

the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

anger management: when angry with someone, it helps to sit down and think about the problem... (with puppies)

dr seuss quote - you have brains in your head

"You’ll have friends and family to help you throughout life, but don’t let them decide how you live your life, because you’re the one who is stuck with your choices. Follow your dreams and don’t give them up for anyone." As Dr. Seuss also said, “Only you can control your future.”
“To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." ~Anatole France
"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." ~Jane Goodall

At Owen Valley High School, our goal is that every Senior will be EMPLOYED, ENROLLED, or ENLISTED upon graduation. Our job is to support students and then prepare them for what comes next.