I graduated from Sacred Heart University in May 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. My dream was to become a teacher and upon graduation I was accepted into Sacred Heart University’s Isabel Farrington School of Education, where I was to begin my Master’s degree in teaching. That academic year, I was also hired as an intern and student teacher in the Westport Public Schools. I served as an intern from September until March, at which time I began my ten weeks of student teaching.
While interning in Westport, I was exposed to many wonderful programs and experiences. I was able to observe many different teachers and the various techniques they used in their classrooms. I witnessed many different academic programs and how they were implemented on a daily basis. Throughout my work in the Westport Public Schools, I built meaningful relationships with colleagues and students as I became skilled in the teaching role.
I attended Sacred Heart University’s graduate program in the evenings, where I participated in a variety of courses, such as a Response to Intervention and a professional seminar, that deepened my understanding of the different methodologies and subject matters utilized in teaching.
Since graduation, I have been teaching first grade at Elm City College Preparatory, an Achievement First charter school in New Haven. I have learned a great deal about the teaching profession and I am eager to learn even more. I have become much more aware of what it takes to run a classroom, placing emphasis on organization and preparation. I have also learned how to build rapport with the parents of my students, so that we can be synchronized in our efforts to develop the children.
I am now able to take critical information and generate comprehensive plans to improve my instruction. I have learned an array of strategies to differentiate so I meet the needs of all of the students in my class.
I have always been driven to succeed in my life. As a kid growing up, I always competed against my brother and two sisters in everything. As I grew up I became driven to succeed in my schooling, in my career, and my newest passion, running. All three areas require a tremendous amount of dedication, planning and learning, much like teaching does. Throughout the past three years as a classroom teacher, I have dedicated myself to enhancing the learning atmosphere for my students. I have thoroughly planned and executed many units of study, tracking student achievement using assessments aligned with the plan of study. Tracking student progress shows me which students need more help and reveals to me the areas of my instruction that require more attention. The drive to succeed that I have had since I was a child propels me to overcome these obstacles.
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