Hello! My name is Amber Yates. I am currently in my sixth year of teaching, having spent five wonderful years teaching kindergarten in Thompson Falls before joining the team in Harrison, Montana. As an educator, I believe in creating a classroom where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive. I specialize in designing hands-on, real-world learning experiences that spark engagement and build confidence—particularly through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). I co-authored research with Dr. Megan Wickstrom in Exploring Mathematical Modeling with Young Learners, which explores how early learners view themselves as mathematicians and how authentic STEM tasks can reshape their mindset. I’m passionate about helping students see themselves as capable problem solvers and look forward to sharing the meaningful ways I bring STEM to life in my classroom.