Experience Summary
When I was placed in a Third Grade classroom in the Fall of 1979 for my student teaching experience, I knew then where I belonged. This was my final semester at the University and I was taking two classes to finish my requirements to graduate in December. Working with that age of child was exactly what I wanted to do. After graduation, I obtained a job working in Special Ed. as an aide. The experience was enough to get my foot in the door. The next Fall I began teaching in a Third Grade classroom. Until I retired in 2004, I continued to teach Third as well as Second Grade with two years at the Sixth Grade level. Above my original degree I did succeed at adding 45 hours of additional classes, with no Masters Degree aquired.
Teaching Style
The simple love of learning that I exuded in the classroom setting was initially enough fuel for my fire to enjoy being in the presence of this age group. I found that allowing some sense of humor to the situation in instructing most subjects eased the pain for the children who may not have wanted to be there. All children did want to learn. My getting them together at such a young age to interact with one another and problem solve alone or together was a joy to watch. I constantly combined subjects to allow the student to make use of their initial talents. Be it in writing, speaking, the use of art or music, I wanted the student to explore each inner strength. Laughing and sharing was much encouraged in each of my classes.