Show and Tell Monday: Career ~ 11.5.2012

 
It's that time again :) I am excited about sharing some more personal posts, so that people in my new family and other friends can get to know me better!

This Weeks Questions: Career/Your "Job"

1. Tell us what you studied in college. Is your job now related to what you studied?
~In college, my degree was Early Childhood Education, with a Psychology minor. I was originally a Phys. Ed major, but decided 3 weeks before school that I wanted to be in a classroom with little ones, so I changed it! My Master's degree is (almost - one class away!! summer 2013) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I chose this degree because the school I was working in had an almost 40% English Language Learners (ELLs).

After graduating college, I was hired at the school I had completed my students teaching at. So far, my favorite...East North Street Academy (i.e. "da skreet"). ENSA is a Title I school and in a very bad part of town. Some of us nicknamed it "da skreet" because it was literally in the ghetto. I loved my school, however, and every day there was something new. I taught Kindergarten my 1st year, Reading and Math Intervention my 2nd year, and 1st grade my 3rd-4th years and I loved every minute of it. I can't even imagine what I would do if I wasn't a teacher.

Now that we have moved to Iowa, I have run into a few problems with transferring my certificate...ugh! I was supposed to be teaching Kindergarten this year, but because of "black and white politics," that did not work out. The good news is I am able to use my Master's degree to keep on teaching! I am working at a school here in Cedar Falls as an ELL teacher! It's been so nice in a school doing what I love!

2. Tell us what your everyday job looks like?
I get to school around 8:15 (which is new for me! I used to be at school at 7:00am every morning!) and have about 45 minutes to plan and prepare before I pick up my first group. I am working with Kindergarten and 2nd grade ELLs. My kiddos are so cute! I pick each group up for about 30 minutes and we work on the English language, vocabulary, and reading. 

3. Do you have a picture of you at work? Show us.

4. In ten years, what do you see yourself doing? Same thing? More? Tell us.
~In ten years, I see myself teaching in a first grade or Kindergarten classroom. I hope to have 2 Masters by then and working on a Doctorate! I love teaching and I love learning. I want to keep doing both!

5. Tell us what you have learned, and what {if any} recommendations you may have for those looking to go into the field you are in.

• Love what you do. If you are not 100% dedicated to teaching, don't do it. If you can't see yourself still teaching in 25 years, pick something else. I love what I do and I wouldn't change it for the world!!
• Love your kiddos with everything in your heart. They love you and they need you. They need hugs, and praise, and they need to know you believe in them.
• Laugh with your kids. Play jokes on them. When they think something is funny, laugh right along with them. 
• Work hard, but take time for yourself. Put down the lesson plans and laminating. Drink a glass of wine and relax. Oh, and get enough sleep so you can say "good morning" with a real smile!