I was notified by Monster.com early this morning that Greater Johnstown School District is accepting applications for permanent full-time elementary teachers. Seeking additional information about Greater Johnstown School District, I went to the website to view the district’s value and mission. I was thrilled to discovered my educational values and vision parallel the School District’s mission; which is to create a safe, positive learning environment through which to meet students’ diverse needs as they develop the skills, attitude, and knowledge essential to reach their full potential and succeed in our global society.
My teaching career began in Memphis, TN teaching a suburban kindergarten class of 25 students. Since that first group of students taught in 1986, I have taught various elementary grades across multiple states including an additional kindergarten class in TN; a first grade, a fifth grade, a fourth-fifth grade split, and a fifth-sixth grade split in Gastonia, NC; as well as two second grade classes in Columbia, SC. However, not only do I have experience in the suburban classroom, but also in the inner city classroom.
…show more content…
For two years, I taught second grade in a poverty stricken neighborhood in SC where most students came to school with issues ranging from hunger to parental abandonment. As a result, it was often necessary to address their basic needs before learning could take place; as well as to illustrate the relevancy of the classroom experience in building a viable and productive future for themselves. For me, this was an eye opening experience which played a significant role in shaping and developing the instructional style which I use