Ferguson, Mandi

Mandi Ferguson

Mandi Ferguson

Email Me

Phone: (208) 765-2010

Degrees and Certifications: Lewis-Clark State College
Masters in Education from the University of Idaho

My name is Mandi Ferguson. This is my seventh year at Ramsey Magnet School of Science. Teaching has always been my passion. I am truly blessed to do what I love every day and love learning alongside my kids!

Previously, I taught for seven years at Webster Elementary in Lewiston, Idaho in special education, 5th grade, and 6th grade. While teaching at Ramsey, I spent three years in 2nd grade, one year in 3rd grade, one in fifth, and one in 4th grade!

I am passionate about looping with my students, and I'm lucky that I get to loop 4th and 5th grades. Looping is an opportunity that allows students to grow further academically and socially, because they are not relearning a new teacher or classroom. As a teacher, looping allows me to build stronger, positive relationships with my kids and their families as we spend two years together. In addition, I know exactly what each student in my classroom needs coming into that second year, and I am able to start the year off giving them exactly what they need to meet their unique needs. For those of you who are new to our classroom community, we can’t wait to get to know you and have you join the family we have created in our room.

I grew up in Lewiston, Idaho and graduated college from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston. I have also earned by Masters in Education from the University of Idaho. I have a twelve-year-old daughter, Graci, who is a 7th grader this year at Woodland. She keeps us busy with dance, volleyball, and golf! I also have a baby boy, Korbin, who was born in January 2021. My husband, Kyle Ferguson, and I are avid football (Go Cowboys!) and NASCAR fans and enjoy camping, four-wheeling, fishing, hiking, and hunting with our family and friends.

In 5th grade this year, we will explore space, mixtures and solutions, and living systems together, along with many other topics! I work to integrate science into all subject areas in our classroom and to create science investigations that have purpose and meaning for students.

We create this community together in a comfortable and exciting classroom environment. We will work hard, set high expectations for one another, and enjoy learning each day!

I am so excited to be a part of the 5th grade team again this year. Thank you for sharing your child with me this year! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

Homework and Grading

Homework

Students will have homework to practice skills previously taught.  Homework is meant to be practice of concepts students are able to complete.  However, I also strive to make homework meaningful for each individual student.  Because student needs vary, homework may vary from child to child.  If your child is frustrated or unsure of how to complete their homework, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible.  This way I can help your child at school to build that understanding and help you as parents to know what your child needs to do.

Standards-Based Grading

Work we complete in class is either for practice of skills and concepts or used as evidence to show mastery of skills and concepts.  To keep this clear, I use the following guidelines.

Practice

All activities or assignments performed or completed as a part of the learning process will be graded with a *+ or a *-.  Students are given ample activities or assignments to practice each standard before it is assessed.

  • A *+ means the assignment was completed satisfactorily and your child demonstrated proficiency with the learning target.  

  • A *- represents work that is not yet proficient, or below the expectation.  Students still need practice with this concept/ skill.

Evidence

Evidence includes assignments or assessments used to grade a student's mastery of the standards.  Evidence piece will be scored with a number 1 to 4 and reflects mastery of grade level standards.  In general I am looking for three evidence pieces of mastery before giving a student a score of a 3 on his/ her report card.  

  • A score of a 1 will be given to work that is below the grade level standard, indicating the student needs help with this standard.

  • A score of a 2 will be given to work that has not quite met the grade level standard, but is approaching proficiency.

  • A score of a 3 will be given to work that meets the grade level standard.  

  • A score of a 4 will be given to work that goes above and beyond, showing the use of a skill, strategy, or knowledge in a unique or in depth manner.