Patricia Coto

Welcome to First Grade!
Welcome to an exciting new school year! I am absolutely thrilled to join this wonderful school community as a new teacher this year, and I cannot wait to welcome your child into our first-grade classroom. First grade is a magical year of discovery, and I am honored to partner with your family to help your child grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Professional & Personal Background
I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old, when I used to line up my stuffed animals and teach them using my classroom books! That lifelong passion has guided me ever since. I spent five years at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, earning both my Bachelor’s in Foundations of Elementary Education and my Master’s in Elementary Education (K-6).
Over the past decade, I have served youth in various capacities, from teaching parish catechist classes to gaining extensive classroom experience across kindergarten through 6th grade. I have been teaching formally for four years—including a year in kindergarten and three wonderful years in first grade, previously teaching at Presentation of Mary Catholic School. First grade has completely stolen my heart because it is where the magic of reading truly comes alive! Outside of school, I love traveling, going to concerts, shopping, watching my Green Bay Packers play, and watching movies and TV shows. Most of all, I cherish spending quality time with my family, friends, and my beloved dog, Apollo. I live in Oakdale with my family. 

Educational & Spiritual Philosophy
As a practicing Catholic, I am deeply passionate about nurturing the future generation to be little saints in the making. My classroom is a safe, compassionate, and loving space where each child's basic needs are met so they can thrive. I believe in instilling deep self-love and confidence in my students, teaching them to view mistakes as beautiful opportunities to learn and fail forward. Together, we will foster independent problem-solving skills, cultivate a lifelong love for learning, and explore the inspiring lives of the saints to guide our daily actions.