Amanda Moe Fosters Joy and Literacy at Highland Park

When the 2025-2026 school year began, Amanda Moe had a "pinch me" moment when she joined the first-grade team at Highland Park Elementary. With nine years of experience, Amanda was drawn by a desire to teach closer to her Gilbert home and a passion for building connections with children.

At the start of the year, Amanda quickly found comfort in her new school community. The welcoming environment allowed her to navigate new routines while focusing on her favorite part of the job - seeing her students’ confidence grow.

"Every single person I've come into contact with at Highland Park has been so nice," Amanda shared during her first few months.

As the first semester progressed, that confidence blossomed. Students who began the year hesitant were soon sharing ideas and taking pride in getting their thoughts onto paper. Amanda embraced the vibrant campus culture, enjoying the many events that helped integrate fun and memories into the daily learning process.

“Highland Park Elementary has my heart," Amanda said. "Learning is fun and should be memorable.”

Now, as the school year draws to a close, Amanda’s students have transitioned from mastering the basics of writing to becoming confident young authors. Using the skills gained throughout the year, the class recently completed a professionally published book, accompanied by handmade habitat dioramas. Amanda credits the curriculum and consistent practice for helping her students build the stamina needed for such a significant project.

"Writing is my absolute favorite subject to teach because you see their ideas on paper start to make more sense," Amanda shares. "Their confidence builds, and they start to enjoy writing."

Reflecting on her first year, Amanda is grateful for the deep relationships she has built with families and her first-grade team. Her students now start every morning by asking, "What’s the fun stuff for the day?"

Supported by the incredible Highland Park community, Amanda is already looking forward to next year. She is eager to incorporate even more of her personal teaching style into the school’s traditions and continue fostering a love for learning in her future students.

To learn more about the culture at Highland Park Elementary, schedule a tour at HighlandPark.GilbertSchools.net/Tour.