April Bates currently teaches math at the middle school level in a rural school in Maine where she has over 30 years’ teaching experience. Her journey with Responsive Classroom started 20 years ago while teaching in elementary school. Her passion for the approach inspired her to become trained to present the elementary, middle school, and advanced workshops. April’s dedication to Responsive Classroom has helped train and support pre-K through eighth grade teachers in her own district as well as countless educators across the country. When she isn’t working, April enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, kayaking, and golfing.