My core beliefs about teaching have been created around my experience working primarily with young children. Ever since I can remember I have been interested in child development and young children. I believe that a child's family is their first teacher. I believe that it is my job to create a link between home and school. I believe that I can make a positive difference for each student every day. Lastly, I believe that the more I learn, the better I am for my students.
A child's family is their first teacher. The importance of a child's early experience is extremely important to their education. Each child comes to school with a set of experiences unique to them that they will build all further learning upon. I feel it is essential to build upon that base and extend their realm of experience through developmentally appropriate activities.
I work very hard to make a link between home and school. My role as a kindergarten teacher is to help families and children make the transition from learning at home to learning at school. I work to create that link in a variety of ways. My first contact with families is in the Spring before they enter kindergarten. When families come to Kindergarten Round-Up, I strive to help them feel welcome and informed. I also invite families to participate in a Literacy Night event in the Spring before kindergarten where the children and parents come together. That is the next step in building the foundation of trust that we will work from during the next school year. I am fortunate to begin my school year in the Fall with a Parent's Day. The parents are invited to come to my classroom and learn about the curriculum, routine and ask any questions they may have. Once we begin the school year, I keep in touch with parents through a newsletter and the school website. There are opportunities for the parents to visit the classroom and participate with their children.
I believe that all children can learn and have great potential for learning. It is my responsibility to meet each child at their level of development and help them to become the best that they can be. According to author, teacher and researcher Dr. Jane Heady in her book, Your Child's Growing Mind, "at the age of six, teachers should expect a four-year span in maturation among students of the same chronological age." With that in mind, there are certain elements that must be in place for learning to be successful for all children. My classroom must become a community of learners where everyone feels safe, accepted and welcome. Trust is an important factor in creating a successful classroom environment. Brain research tells us that when children experience a high level of stress or distress their body reacts by producing a higher level of cortisol which affects their ability to process and remember information. That in turn affects their memory and learning. My role is to create a classroom environment that supports young children's emotional, social and academic growth.
I believe that I can make a positive difference for each student every day. I have the unique position of teaching each child in our district as they go through kindergarten. As they grow, I can continue my relationship with them. I feel it is important for each child in our building to feel welcome and important. One of the most important things I do each day is greet all children with a smile and their name. It is such a simple thing to do, yet incredibly important.
The more I learn the better I am for my students. I believe that learning is a lifelong process and that teaching and learning are synonymous. As I teach each day, my students teach me valuable lessons about learning. During my teaching tenure, I have had the opportunity to participate in wonderful staff development. I feel extremely fortunate to be associated with a school district that promotes staff development. I have participated in programs that have helped me grow personally and develop my core beliefs about education. I have also participated in workshops and seminars that have given me fabulous strategies to use in my classroom. Sharing what I have learned with others is an important step in professional development. I teach in a small district so I am able to have contact with the entire elementary staff regularly. We share ideas, strategies, successes and challenges. Technology has played a role in my professional development as well. Through the internet and e-mail, I participate in a network of early childhood educators from across the United States, Canada and abroad. Teaching in a rural part of the state and working in a district that has only one kindergarten teacher, I have been able to network with other kindergarten teachers from my area and in Minnesota through the Minnesota Kindergarten Association. I am currently working toward a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. This experience has been tremendous. One of the most important things that I have learned from this experience is the importance of reflection. Taking time to evaluate what is important, what is effective and what else needs to happen is essential to effective teaching.
I feel that my greatest contribution so far in education has been serving my students to the best of my ability and being an advocate for their education. I feel like after teaching 10 years I have so much yet to contribute. I am truly a lifelong learner and as I continue my quest for learning, I know that I will continue to grow as a professional.