Second Grade

2nd grade is always reaching new heights! In Reader's Workshop, students will move from just reading texts to thinking about how the characters change, and the lessons that the author wanted to convey. In Writer's Workshop, students will work on three genres of writing: narrative, opinion, and informational. Students will study the choices that published authors make in their own writing and try it in their writing. Students will also work on revising and editing their writing for publishing. In math, students work with numbers up to 1,000. They will learn about place value and the base-ten number system . They will use efficient strategies to add and subtract 2-digit and 3-digit numbers. They will also learn about time, money, measurement, and geometry. Second grade science includes the study of rocks, plants, and insects. In social studies, we learn about the seven continents of the world and citizenship. Second grade will also learn about Robotics, Ancient Egypt, India, and Ireland as part of Extended Learning Time. Lastly, this year the second grade will have the tremendous opportunity of sharing data with parents and guardians through APTT. 

Ms. Ragusa

Hi, I’m Mrs. Ragusa. I love being part of the 2nd grade team at the Otis. I truly enjoy teaching and watching my students learn and grow each year. It's so great to see the gains that each one of them makes, as well as watching them grow. Spending time with my family, baking and reading are a few of my favorite things. My hope is that each student leaves 2nd grade with a love of learning and confidence that stays with them.

mcook@bostonpublicschools.org

Ms. Dawkins

Ms. Sousa

Hello, my name is Ms. Dawkins, and this is my sixth year at the James Otis School. I am very excited to continue teaching second-grade SEI this year! I truly love everything about 2nd grade! It is such an important year, where students are reading complex texts, learning effective strategies for solving multi-digit addition and subtraction word problems and exploring the seven continents. I grew up in Dorchester, and I am a product of the Boston Public Schools. I received my Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Northeastern University, where I studied both Elementary Education and Special Education. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cooking, and traveling. My favorite food is pizza, and my favorite children’s author is Patricia Polacco. ​

cdawkins@bostonpublicschools.org

Ms. Burke

I am excited to be continuing my teaching journey at the James Otis School, and thrilled to be part of the 2nd grade team this year. I am passionate about working with our students, and I love watching their curiosity blossom. I know students will find great success in school and in life with a positive outlook and love of learning. When I’m not in the classroom, you can usually find me either at the dance studio, where I am an active member of a dance company, or at home, cooking and cuddling with my cat, Zellie. My hope for our second graders is that they take their passion, curiosity, and confidence with them into their bright futures. 

kburke2@bostonpublicschools.org

My name is Teresa Sousa and I have had the privilege of being a part of Otis School for three
decades. I am passionate about teaching and learning and can honestly say I love what I do. I
am blessed to work alongside colleagues who share this passion and help me continue to grow.
I believe that one of the most important responsibilities, as a teacher, is to create a nurturing,
inclusive classroom community that fosters respect, curiosity, independence, creativity, humor,
perseverance, and the love of learning.
When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, spending time with family and friends, writing,
sketching and laughing.​

tsousa@bostonpublicschools.org

Ms. Smith

Hello, I am Ms. Smith and I am so excited for my first year teaching at the Otis! Prior to the Otis, I worked in a first grade classroom in Roxbury as well as in a Special Education setting in San Diego! I love teaching second grade and working with students to build a love of reading, writing and math that they can carry with them into the rest of their academic careers. I look forward to building relationships with my students and their families. When I'm not at school, I love going to the beach, cooking and spending time with my friends and family! ​

lsmith@bostonpublicschools.org