Grade 3

The factors that influenced me to become a teacher were other teachers. When I was a fourth-grade student, I had a Science teacher named Ms. Schubin. I thought she was great! I loved the hands-on activities she allowed us to do in class. I looked forward to going to her class everyday. There were experiments we did in her class that I still remember. It was because of Ms. Schubin that I developed an interest in learning and in coming to school. She made skills that were challenging to me seem easier.  She was patient, kind and caring. I have thought about Ms. Schubin a lot throughout the years. I don't think she ever knew how much her teaching style affected my life. I haven't been a fourth-grade student in about 38 years, yet, I still dwell upon the things that made Ms. Schubin a wonderful teacher and I try to incorporate those things into my teaching.

Another factor that influenced me to become a teacher was that I received fulfillment from helping others. I am a natural helper. In high school students had to pick peers who they thought were caring, kind and understanding. They had to pick students who they thought were compassionate. The students selected were called ‘Natural Helpers’. These students went on a weekend retreat to learn how to effectively listen to other students and how to help them overcome problems in their lives. I was one of the students selected as a Natural Helper. It was a huge honor to me. I never knew my peers perceived me this way.

My personal feelings and beliefs about teaching is that a positive classroom atmosphere where all students are intellectually engaged needs to be cultivated. Teachers need to have empathy and patience when working with all students. Interactions between teachers and students should be highly respectful, positive, friendly, and supportive. Teachers should cultivate an environment where positive student-to-student interactions are evident. This can help to create a safe environment in which students could participate, learn, collaborate, and grow. This allows students to feel comfortable coming to a classroom environment in which they feel challenged, respected and valued.

Collaboration and working together cooperatively are foundations that teaching should be built on. Serving our students and their parents is a community effort. I have learned that everyone has something valuable to bring to the table. We all are pieces to a puzzle that can only be completed by working together cooperatively.

Classroom Assistant

Aida Ramirez is a teacher's assistant at Christopher Columbus School No. 15.  She has worked as a Kindergarten assistant for the Elizabeth Public School system for 19 years.   Aida was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She and her husband immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States where she has been living for the past 3 decades. While there she earned a Bachelor's degree in business administration from UTESA University.  She also has her CDA (Child Development Associate) certification.  As a classroom assistant, she has many roles—lunch monitor, small group teacher, assisting the teacher in preparing for the day, checking homework and the students’ folders, to name a few.  Aida has a passion for teaching children and helping her students achieve a level of confidence in themselves and their abilities. Her attentiveness to her student's situations and care allow her to form long lasting bonds with her students that last well after they have left her classroom. She believes that early childhood education is essential in a child's development and always makes sure to make time for each one of her students