ParksOliviaPreschool Mission Accepted
.docx
School
Concordia University Portland**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
EDGR 602
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Dec 16, 2024
Pages
5
Uploaded by AdmiralEnergyHamster26
Running head: PRESCHOOL MISSION ACCEPTED1Preschool Mission AcceptedOlivia S. ParksConcordia University
PRESCHOOL MISSION ACCEPTED2Preschool Mission AcceptedChildren laughing, dress up, creativity, imagination and exploration, these are daily activities that happen in my classroom. I was built to become a preschool teacher. I have always been the mother hen of the classroom growing up. I am the oldest of three children and have always been great with children. I was the built in babysitter, and started babysitting for my neighborhood at the age of eleven. During college I worked at a daycare and spent my summers at camp. All through college I thought that I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I loved my timeduring practicum working with children in kindergarten and thought I was destined to become a kindergarten teacher. It was not until March 2009, while sitting in chapel at Indiana Wesleyan University that I felt the call from God to teach in Alaska. Through a job fair I was offered my first teaching job with Anchorage School District to teach preschool special education. I did not even know that this was an option. This started my journey and a career that I enjoy and live for daily. I teach for the “Ah-ha” light bulb moments. I am overjoyed when a student speaks their first word or finally achieves a goal. It is my goal to advocate for my students. My classroom is achild's first experience with school. I need to show them the importance of education and how learning can be fun. My goal is, “to provide the community with high-quality early childhood care and education programs and services” (NAEYC, 2011, p. 6).All early childhood educators must embody the characteristics of creativity, self-efficacy,integrity, compassion, and critical thinking. In my classroom I create learning experiences for mystudents to discover through play. “Early childhood educators should be able to adapt lesson plans to concepts that children can understand. Incorporating learning games and other teaching techniques can keep children engaged and focused throughout the day” (Csponline, 2019). In the early childhood classroom self efficacy is crucial. Not all early child classrooms come with
PRESCHOOL MISSION ACCEPTED3developmentally appropriate materials or proper curriculum. An early childhood educator must be able to adapt the materials provided or acquire materials needed to meet the needs of the students. In my preschool classroom I have had to create curriculum and lessons to meet the needs of my students. I have also written grants to quire the materials needed to enhance the learning environment for my preschool students. All early childhood educators must have integrity. When working with children it is the responsibility of all educators to show integrity. Children and families will share sensitive information with their teachers. It is imperative that all educators have a high level of moral ethics in and outside of the classroom. Compassion for students and where they come from is a necessity. Many students come to school without their basic needs being met. If a child comes to school hungry they are unable to learn. It is an educator’s responsibility to have compassion for the students needs and attain what the child needs to be successful in the learning environment. Critical thinking is important in the early childhood education classroom. Early childhoodeducator must be able to adapt each school year to the students in their classrooms. They need tobe able to evaluate the needs of their students and how to best meet their needs. “When early childhood education professionals reflect upon their practice, they can analyze the effects of theirdecisions and actions on students, and realize their impact on student success and failure” (Mary,1999, p.227).I strive to be an early childhood educator that embodies the critical characteristics neededto be a successful preschool teacher. I create a classroom that is inviting for all students. I strive to create a learning experience that makes my students feel safe and loved. My goal is to have a preschool classroom that provides a quality educational experience that prepares my students to enter kindergarten. I use my faith values to show love and equity to my students and families. I
PRESCHOOL MISSION ACCEPTED4know that for many of the families I am the only way they see Jesus’s love. I strive to keep up to date on current educational practices. I am currently a part of Ohio Department of Education Striving Readers Grant. The goal of the Striving Readers Grant is to connect and align preschool through second grade curriculum. The purpose is to better equip the students as they reach the reading expectations for third grade. This program allows the preschool the valuable information needed needs to better align her teaching to the common core expectations. Also in order to better equip my classroom with current expectations in early childhood, I am obtaining my masters in early childhood curriculum and education. Obtaining my masters will better equip me as an educator to advocate for my students and obtain my goal of creating a quality preschool program.
PRESCHOOL MISSION ACCEPTED5ReferencesCsponline. (2019, June 04). 7 Must-Haves for Early Childhood Teachers. Retrieved from https://online.csp.edu/blog/education/early-childhood-teachersMary, B. M. (1999). Characteristics of teachers who talk the DAP talk and walk the DAP walk: JRCE JRCE.Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 13(2), 216. Retrieved from http://cupdx.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.cupdx.idm.oclc.org/docview/203881004?accountid=10248NAEYC. (2011). Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/position-statements/Ethics%20Position%20Statement2011_09202013update.pdfNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (n.d.). Overview: Power tothe profession. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/ourwork/initiatives/profession/overviewNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (n.d.). The profession. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/professionOhio Department of Education. (2019, March 21). Ohio's Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant. Retrieved from http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Literacy/Striving-Readers-Comprehensive-Literacy-Grant