My name is Mrs. Thyla Arden Nel. I am so excited about being your 5th grade teacher! It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to share this school year with all of you. My goal is to set up an interesting and stimulating environment for the students through creative lessons and activities. You can expect a productive and fun learning experience together.

In the classroom, I believe it is important for you to feel safe and respected. We will work together to establish a room filled with good relationships, pride and trust. I want you to know that you are in a place where you can comfortably be yourself while learning and growing to be the best you can be.

As for me, I have been a teacher since 2011, after graduating from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa. I graduated with both a bachelor’s degree in Journalism plus a postgraduate degree in Education, specializing in English, History and Photography. I taught in both South Africa and South Korea before settling in the United States with my husband, Nicholas. We are proud French bulldog parents to our two babies, Pixel and Paint. Their names are a tribute to my love of art. If I’m not teaching, you can find me painting in my studio.