The Story Behind the Name & Face
My life story is probably more common than it used to be and because of that I will give you the details that are most unique and defining in my life. I was born Angela Grazia Sonntag to my loving parents Dennis and Concetta. My name is one of the first parts of my life that is most unique about me, because it is a very Italian first and middle name with a very German last name. The names Angela and Grazia (Grace) both came from my late maternal grandmother's that passed away due to their battles with cancer. They both were strong, caring, loving, and bold women that were selfless and put their family first. I am proud to carry these names with me and to hopefully pass on the same qualities and traits to my own children and grandchildren some day. My last name Sonntag comes from the German word for Sunday, so yes my last name is literally a day of the week! I love having such a unique last name, because it separates me from the crowd and has such a cool meaning. My heritage is a large part of who I am and why I am so passionate about what I do. My Italian and German immediate and extended family are all very close knit and very passionate about everything in their lives! With this being said, it is no wonder why I put 110% into everything I do and even when it's all said and done, I still wish I could do more.
I grew up in the suburbs of Sterling Heights, MI with almost all of my friends and family living in a 30 minute radius of my house. In this house lived my younger brother by about three years, my parents, my dog, and myself. My parents always strongly encouraged my brother and I to get a college education. So when it came time to get a higher education I went to Michigan State University for my Bachelor's degree in teacher education and my brother went to Ferris State University. Attending Michigan State University was one of the best decisions of my life where I learned many life lessons and found my calling in Teacher Education.
I graduated from MSU in the spring of 2006 with my Bachelor's Degree in Education: Language Arts. I then moved back into my parent's home so that I could complete a year long teacher internship program with MSU where I taught 3rd grade in Hazel Park, MI. After completing the certification and internship program with MSU in the spring of 2007, I soon realized that finding a job in Michigan was almost near impossible. I wanted my own classroom more than anything, which is why I choose to accept a job in the Public School System of North Carolina. In North Carolina, I started my first teaching job at a wonderful school about 20 minutes outside of Raleigh. Here I taught 4th grade for two years and absolutely loved it! Yet, during my second year of teaching a wonderful opportunity arrived, when I was asked to teach 3rd grade at a brand new year round elementary school. I excitedly accepted the position and have been thrilled with my decision ever since. It is now my fourth year teaching 3rd grade and my seventh year teaching overall. It's almost hard to believe that I have been doing this for four years! Everyday I am thankful for the choices that I made, which has created such a joyful and meaningful path for my life!
Even though I may live almost 700 miles away from my family, I have found friends and co-workers that surround me with the same kind of love and support that I have at home. I love spending my time in North Carolina visiting all of the historic monuments, site-seeing, hiking, shopping, hanging out with friends, and looking for more fun, new, and exciting things to do in the wonderful city of Raleigh!
I grew up in the suburbs of Sterling Heights, MI with almost all of my friends and family living in a 30 minute radius of my house. In this house lived my younger brother by about three years, my parents, my dog, and myself. My parents always strongly encouraged my brother and I to get a college education. So when it came time to get a higher education I went to Michigan State University for my Bachelor's degree in teacher education and my brother went to Ferris State University. Attending Michigan State University was one of the best decisions of my life where I learned many life lessons and found my calling in Teacher Education.
I graduated from MSU in the spring of 2006 with my Bachelor's Degree in Education: Language Arts. I then moved back into my parent's home so that I could complete a year long teacher internship program with MSU where I taught 3rd grade in Hazel Park, MI. After completing the certification and internship program with MSU in the spring of 2007, I soon realized that finding a job in Michigan was almost near impossible. I wanted my own classroom more than anything, which is why I choose to accept a job in the Public School System of North Carolina. In North Carolina, I started my first teaching job at a wonderful school about 20 minutes outside of Raleigh. Here I taught 4th grade for two years and absolutely loved it! Yet, during my second year of teaching a wonderful opportunity arrived, when I was asked to teach 3rd grade at a brand new year round elementary school. I excitedly accepted the position and have been thrilled with my decision ever since. It is now my fourth year teaching 3rd grade and my seventh year teaching overall. It's almost hard to believe that I have been doing this for four years! Everyday I am thankful for the choices that I made, which has created such a joyful and meaningful path for my life!
Even though I may live almost 700 miles away from my family, I have found friends and co-workers that surround me with the same kind of love and support that I have at home. I love spending my time in North Carolina visiting all of the historic monuments, site-seeing, hiking, shopping, hanging out with friends, and looking for more fun, new, and exciting things to do in the wonderful city of Raleigh!