Welcome! I am Ms. Braatz, and I will be entering my 24th year of teaching this year! 23 of these years have been in the New Albany Plain Local School District. I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Ohio Northern University in 1999, as well as Special Education certification from the University of Findlay, also in 1999. I also hold a Master's Degree from Ashland University in Reading/Literacy, which I obtained in 2001. Since that time, reading has been a passion and focus for me! I am also Levels 1 and 2 certified with Wilson Reading Systems, which is a multi-sensory, research-based approach to decoding and encoding.

I have been an Intervention Specialist for all of my career so far, working with a range of first through ninth graders. I have enjoyed each grade level! Watching students make growth and progress is so rewarding, at all levels! This year, my focus will be working with seventh and eighth graders. I can't wait to see the students' growth, and celebrate with them!

When I am not at school, I spend time with my daughter, who is now 4 years old. I enjoy running, and have completed 27 marathons. Currently, I am "retired" from full marathons, but still training and running almost daily! I don't sit still for long, so you can find me running, lifting weights, keeping busy with house projects, promoting health and wellness, volunteering, or fundraising for children's charities.