Philosophy
Children learn when they are at their best. That means they are healthy, had enough to eat, and had adequate amount of sleep the night before. They also learn when they are hands on and able to manipulate the materials that they have been provided with, while using all of their senses. Children also learn when the activity is developmentally appropriate. That means that their activity has the proper amount of difficulty for their development. If a task is too difficult for a child then that child may just give up and feel inferior to his/her classmates. Same goes for an activity that is too easy. The child will most likely find a different way that is more stimulating to them. To some people that new way may be deemed inappropriate in the classroom or may even be dangerous. You're not going to give an infant a pair of scissors to teeth on just like you're not going to give a four year old who can walk a toy that is suppose to assist them in walking. Children aren't going to sit in a seat for long periods of time, they need motion to keep themselves stimulated. Sometimes just doing a few exercises before group time may keep them seated for a bit. Physical activity for young children is a must. Getting to climb on things, jumping, and running is a huge part in their development. Having the fresh air bursting through their lungs is good for them too. I chose this path to be able to watch the children grasp a new concept and to see their minds grow. To give children a more positive outlook into their future. To give them the confidence they need to succeed in this so called world. To give them their wings they will need soar through the clouds with. Its all for the outcome.
Statements
Mandated Reporter:
As a teacher I am a legal mandated reporter. That means if I suspect abuse or neglect it is my responsibility to report it to child protective services. The law requires there to be a verbal and a written report of the suspected neglect or abuse within 72 hours. For more information go to www.michigan.gov
As a teacher I am a legal mandated reporter. That means if I suspect abuse or neglect it is my responsibility to report it to child protective services. The law requires there to be a verbal and a written report of the suspected neglect or abuse within 72 hours. For more information go to www.michigan.gov
Code of Ethics:
As a teacher it is my responsibility to provide care and education in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child. Being committed to supporting children's development and learning. Respecting individual differences, and helping children learn to live, play, and work cooperatively. Also committed to promoting children's self-awareness, competence, self-worth, resiliency, and physical well-being.
As a teacher it is my responsibility to provide care and education in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child. Being committed to supporting children's development and learning. Respecting individual differences, and helping children learn to live, play, and work cooperatively. Also committed to promoting children's self-awareness, competence, self-worth, resiliency, and physical well-being.
My reasons for this career path
I never really knew in the beginning what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always felt pressured into having to choose at a young age, back in the 8th grade. At the time I didn't even know who I was to begin with. So how could I choose a career path when I didn't even completely know myself. It took me a long time to finally come to a decision, three years in fact. I didn't end up choosing right away because I had some influential help from a family member who had jumped right into a specific career path straight from high school and barely two semesters in to her college life she chose to go on a different path. She had come to find out that particular career choice was not for her. She told me that she wished that she had taken life much slower and not jumped in head first without totally thinking. Parent were very upset with her for a long time about the waste of money that had cost them. At one point she came home when I was feeling very conflicted about what to do once I graduated from high school. She told me " Skyler, you don't have to choose anything right now. You don't want to jump into a career and find out in a few years that you will be miserable working there. Choose something that is going to make you happy. Doesn't matter how much you make as long as you enjoy doing it." I took that advice to heart. I spent the first few years after high school taking general classes that you are required to have for pretty much every career path. Taking random classes here and there also to see if I had liked them. I stumbled upon a class that was about special needs children. I thought that would be a good class to take so I could learn more about the children that had moved in down the street from my aunt who had a speech impairment and ADHD. After taking that class I learned that it was a career path that I could make a difference in. Some children come to school just to feel safe and loved or just to have their tummies filled. I was always told from when I was young that I was good with kids. I always wanted to babysit my baby cousins as well. I had the patience to take this kind of career path. It wouldn't be easy either. Everyday would bring something new. I wanted to be able to go into work with a smile and make someone else's day great. This world is rough on our kids. I want to give them a place to go when they feel sad and unhappy that replaces that frown with a smile. I want to give these children a chance in this world to begin to become somebody great. This life isn't about the paychecks, it's all about the outcome and getting to see all the shining and smiling faces everyday. Every child deserves someone who cares.
I had permission from his Mom to show a picture of my godson Luke