Hello 4^th Grade Laney Families and Students,

My name is Rashika Carlson and I am the 4^th grade Special Education Resource Teacher this year. This is my 6^th year at Laney and my 15^th year in the classroom. I taught 10^th-12^th grade Economics and Accounting for 5 years in Johannesburg, South Africa, and at a Transition Program for 5 years in White Bear Lake before joining the Laney Family.

As we begin the school year in Distance Learning, my focus will be to work with 4^th grade teachers to provide students with small group, and 1:1 support by differentiating the general education curriculum, and instruction for Literacy, Math, and Social Emotional skills, and by providing supplemental materials and supports necessary for our students to access learning in a way that meets their needs. Central to this model is our belief that All Students Can Learn!  Our 4^th grade Laney family firmly believes in having high expectations for our students too.

Some background information about me

I was born in Durban, South Africa and am a descendant of indentured Indian laborers who arrived in South African in the 1860s. I graduated from the University of Natal, Durban with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm) degree in Economics and Psychology while Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first democratically –elected president and eventually found my place in a classroom in 2003. I taught 6-12^th grade Economics, Business Studies and Accounting in South Africa, before meeting my husband Andrew, moving to the US, and then graduating from Ohio University in 2011 with a Master’s degree in Special Education for Mild to Moderate Disabilities. 

Andrew and I live in Saint Paul, with our children Arya and Aiden. We enjoy road trips, listening to audiobooks, and watching cooking, and home improvement shows. I love reading, running, and cooking and eating Indian food.

As we transition to school from a difficult summer into distance learning, please know that our goal this year is to support our students the best we can. Please reach out if you need help,  or materials for your student. My contact details are:

Email: rashika.carlson@mpls.k12.mn.us

Telephone: 612-668-2200