Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Did I always want to be a classroom teacher? No, not really! My career as an educator began after I graduated with a BA teaching certificate in physical education. My interest, however, was not in classroom education teaching children, it was in teaching adults in the field of exercise physiology. After graduating from college, I accepted a position in the field of adult fitness educating corporate employees in heart health and fitness. I later taught students part time at the local YMCA after school program. This part time position led to a full time Director position in those programs.

These experiences led to my current teaching position as a physical education teacher in early childhood. Teaching three-four-and five-year old students' physical education was never a part of my plans as an educator. I had to change my whole way of thinking and my style of educating. Pulling from my past experiences as a teacher of adults, and educating elementary school students, I faced the position with an open heart and mind. My students educated me! I watched their movements and behaviors and developed a curriculum from being a prudent observer. Almost twenty-two years later, I have found that despite my earlier educational experience and aspirations that teaching/educating young children is my true passion even though getting there has taken me through many twists and turns.

A teacher is a person who assists and encourages others to acquire knowledge. This knowledge not only applies to educating students but transcends reaching colleagues and to the entire school community. Teaching knowledge is a major part of the teacher's role in educating students, however, a teacher does not teach in a bubble. The ability of a teacher to reach the whole student transfers to the student's parents and to the whole community. Volunteering to support the school community is essential not only to the success of the student but contributes to the success of the entire school community. My teaching strategies and beliefs have taught me that I too need to support my school and community through volunteerism. Volunteering has taken me to Namibia in Africa, to Newark, NJ and to supporting school committees. Supporting my school has given me the most satisfaction. For the past two years I have organized and solicitated colleagues to help me to collect food items at Thanksgiving to distribute to needy families within our school. To add to this, I have initiated the operation of the Giving Tree to collect and distribute toys for our needy school students who may otherwise not receive a gift for the holidays. Overall, I am committed to my students and to my school. I believe that in service to others a teacher can contribute to the long-term academic achievement of students and to the success of the school and community.

Instructing preschool students is a hands-on experience. It requires getting students ready to experience years of academic, social and emotional growth. Getting paint on your clothes, running across the multipurpose room, rolling on the floor, tying shoes, and getting sneezed upon are some of the requirements of the position. A preschool teacher must model behavior because there are always little eyes looking at you to see what you are doing and how you are reacting to certain situations. You are constantly on camera! But there is also a simple innocence to the looks, stares and questions that are asked of you. There is an excitement in their eyes and gestures that makes a preschool teacher want to continue to educate and teach. As a preschool teacher you are building self-esteem in these young minds. I see that in my physical education classes. Students who were once shy and nonresponsive have now blossomed into stronger independent students who can now make choices. What a joy! What success!

Child Development Associate

I have always had a passion for helping others, especially children, and wanted to make a difference in our community. That is why I chose to be part of the field of education. My responsibility is to assist our teachers in the classrooms and make sure our students are given the best education possible. I believe my passion for helping our students has been a great reason why I am able to be the educator I am today.