MY PHILOSPHY OF EDUCATION

I BELIEVE THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION:
is to learn to communicate and cooperate with others while sharing and exploring knowledge as a whole. This is necessary for one to reach, achieve, and prepare for personal goals throughout life.

I BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN LEARN BEST:
when their social and emotional needs are met. This way they are supported in a positive/productive environment and feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas among their peers and caregivers. Children also learn best when they can grasp the same concept in more than on way (example: using the five senses).

THE CURRICULUM OF A CLASSROOM SHOULD:
include experiences that contribute to the child's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development as well as an environment that emphasize good communication and cooperative skills and also include developmentally appropriate activities that meet the needs of the appropriate age group.

CHILDREN LEARN BEST IN AN ENVIRONMENT:
that is personal and considers each child's individual needs, talents, and family.

A GOOD CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT:
should offer opportunities for children to form their own hypothesis and explore their own ideas. ...have positive and consistent behavior policies and have adults who serve as positive role models.

ALL CHILDREN HAVE NEEDS THAT MUST BE MET IF THEY ARE TO GROW & LEARN TO THEIR BEST POTENTIAL. SOME OF THESE NEEDS ARE:
social/emotional, safety/security, physical needs, family needs, and a need for a healthy child-adult relationship.

I WOULD MEET THESE NEEDS BY:
understanding and encouraging each child's individuality, interest, and family life. ...serving as a positive role model that children can rely on for support and encouragement.

EDUCATION

Ivy Tech, INDIANA 2004-2007
AA in Early Childhood Education

Martinsville High School 1999-2002
Diploma

QUALIFICATIONS

I've been working with children and their families on a professional level since 2002. Since then, I've completed my AA in Early Childhood and Child Development Associates. I've volunteer 300+ hours at a local Head Start program in Morgan County, Indiana (2006). I was also elected to serve on the Early Head Start Policy Council in Terre Haute, Indiana (2008). I’ve six months experience with Montessori as well as specific training in phonics/reading on a kindergarten level.

SKILLS

Active Listening, Assisting & Caring for Others, Active Learning, Fluency of Ideas, Instructing, Information Ordering, Learning Strategies, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Establishing & Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Monitoring (processes, materials or surroundings), Oral Expression, Speech Clarity, Speech Recognition, Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning, and Inductive Reasoning.

Previous: CPR, First Aid, and Life Guard Certification.

EMPLOYMENT

CLOVER PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Para Educator

PUYALLUP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Para Educator

THE LEARNING TREE MONTESSORI
Teacher Assistant

HEAD START
Student Teacher

LEARN A LOT
Lead k-4 teacher

PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Teacher's Aid

PRECIOUS PLAYMATES
After School Coordinator

LEARNING LAND
Lead K-3 Teacher

SONSHINE KIDS
Teacher Assistant

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

HEAD START 2008
Elected to serve on Policy Council.

HEAD START 2006
25+ hours a week

YMCA 1999-2000
Volunteer child care worker
3+ hours a week

STRENGTHS

I enjoy building relationships with children and their families. I consider myself a great listener and effective communicator. I think children find it easy to respect me because of the respect I model towards them. Problem solving is another one of my strengths. Although, I do not solve the problems for the children I believe I am a great encourager in these area. Staying positive and calm is another one of my strengths when working with children. I have a strong interest in implementing anti-bias curriculum because I know every child and family is different. I’ve had several of my creative ideas published. I love to teach the same concept in as many different ways and points of view possible.

CULTURAL AWARENESS STATMENT

I express my cultural self-awareness everyday as an early childhood professional just by working with diverse children and families. I know that every child and family is different and make an effort to understand each need. When I think of culture I don’t think of visiting far away places I’ve never seen because culture is displayed in every family and person and is not limited to far away places. This is why I believe I’ve experienced culture my whole profession just by interacting with individual children and their families. I believe it’s important to learn about each other’s unique qualities and traditions while in the classroom. This creates a more respectful and comfortable environment. Personally, I love to invite families to participate whenever possible and to share their talents and traditions with the classroom as well as share some of my own traditions (examples: yoga, meditation, sign language, hockey and etc).

WHER DO I SEE MYSELF IN FIVE YEARS?

I think I'd fit best in an Early Childhood Administrative setting or an Early Childhood Library setting. I am very committed to providing useful resources to parents & families as well as interested in policies & procedures (specifically in a NAEYC program).

DESCRIBE ME

I am a dedicated, resourceful, responsible/professional employee.