Second Grade Teacher

From when I was a child I wanted to be a teacher. I am proud of the fact that I was one of the first summer volunteer participants in Project Head Start. President Johnson championed Head Start to help underprivileged children with the inequality in social and economic conditions. From a very young age I knew that I wanted to be a part of something important. My life took many twists and turns, but eventually after raising four children I went back to school to earn my degree. I am very proud that my children cheered me on and supported me throughout my journey. While my children were in school, I was always very involved. I would take turns being class mother, I worked in the school library, Girl Scout leader, and was an active PTA member. I always felt very comfortable volunteering and later working as a substitute teacher, then teacher, in school. There were teachers that I had that made a lasting impression on me, as well as teachers that my own children were fortunate enough to have had. Teachers that could motivate and make lessons come alive, teachers who were kind, teachers who dedicated their lives to making sure that their students got the very best that they could give. That's what I wanted to do - teach children to excel, to love learning.

As a second-grade classroom teacher, I am committed to ensuring that all my students feel welcomed, safe, and are physically and emotionally ready to learn. It is my goal to understand their needs and challenges and provide support and environment so that all learners can be successful.
An outstanding teacher is a person who has a love of learning, a person who has compassion, and empathy. My personal mission is to reach the individual child, to meet them on their personal level, and open a world of possibilities. It is my desire to capture and create ideas and to allow my students to take those ideas and expand and explore and be courageous to share their own ideas and wonderings. It is also my belief that as teachers we need to come together, share ideas, support each other, reflect on our experiences, and be each other's fiercest cheerleaders. I also believe that continuing education is key - exemplary teachers are lifelong learners. Keeping up with the latest research data to enhance our teaching skillset will result in successful students. Outstanding teachers adapt their teaching methods to complement different learning styles and foster critical thinking. I believe that, through hard work, experience, and surrounded by amazing coworkers that I have the ability to inspire, guide, and motivate students that hopefully will leave a lasting impact, encouraging a love of learning that extends beyond our classroom.

Child Development Associate

I've always had a deep passion for working with children. During my time volunteering at local daycare, working at summer camp, and working as a substitute teacher, I saw firsthand how impactful early childhood education can be in shaping a child's future. The desire to contribute to their growth and development really inspired me to pursue a career as a child development associate. I enjoy fostering positive creativity and have a love for working with kids; qualities that make me well suited for education.

As a child development associate in a preschool, my primary responsibility is to create a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment for young children by supporting their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. I assist in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities that promoted learning through play. I also observe and document the children's progress, providing feedback to parents and collaborating with teachers to adjust lessons plans as needed. I work closely with other teachers to ensure that we provide a well-rounded educational experience, and I communicate regularly with parents to update them on their child's growth and behaviors. I apply positive techniques to encourage desirable behavior and work with children to resolve conflicts and build positive social environments. I utilize developmentally appropriate practices to support each child's individual learning needs whether it involve language development, social skills, or motor skills. Ultimately, my role is to contribute to creating a supportive environment where each child feels valued and supported in their growth.