Experience Summary
I received my bachelors’ degree in May, 2004 from Metropolitan State College with a BA in Behavioral Science (minor: Elementary Education). In the fall of 2004 I continued my education at MSCD by enrolling in the teacher preparation program, pursuing an endorsement in elementary education. 12 semester hours of student teaching remain before I obtain my teaching license; however, for personal reasons, I have stopped attending school for the time being.
The teacher preparation program at MSCD includes an academic year of pre-student teaching internships. From January 2004-May 2004 I interned in a third grade classroom, and from August 2004-December 2004 interned in a fifth grade classroom. These valuable experiences afforded me the opportunity to:
• develop and implement lesson plans on a wide range of topics and varying levels of academic ability,
• work with emotionally and physically challenged students in a total inclusion program,
• observe and participate in effective classroom management approaches, and
• administer and evaluate individual reading inventories (IRIs) to create a reading program that best addressed all student abilities.
Teaching Style
My general teaching and learning philosophy is that every child has the potential for greatness, but that proper guidance and experiences are needed to reach full potential. Children are not just empty vessels waiting to be filled, but bring unique dimensions and experiences into any educational setting, which affect individual desire and motivation to learn and participate. The varied backgrounds of all children must be addressed and included in the curriculum to maximize each child’s learning potential and scholastic enjoyment.
Even the youngest of children is constantly creating, adapting to, and analyzing his/her reality through active learning; thus any educational program should follow in this way. Educational programs should explore basic skills for successful daily living and future scholastic/life success, but should also allow for child interests to mold lessons and activities. Education in general should nurture and expand critical thinking and problem solving skills, and not teach what to think but rather explore how to think.