Jaime:
After 12 years of teaching in the inner city of Newark, NJ, I have decided to return to graduate school for a second master's. During this time, I would like to tutor so that I will have flexibility to work on my graduate school work, but still have contact with students. I enjoy teaching too much to take off completely from education.
During the past twelve years at East Side High School, I have been privileged to participate in a diverse population. Being an English teacher at the only bilingual school in Newark has allowed me to experience classes that include students of different cultural and social backgrounds, different races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, languages, disabilities and abilities. These differences have created challenges for planning and preparation, for almost all students in the classroom need adaptations. However these challenges have made me into a more innovative teacher, finding ways to grade openly and foster an environment that brings out all different aspects of my diverse population. In the end, I benefited from more opportunity to grow and learn about student populations.
As I teacher at East Side High School, I taught creative writing, journalism, public speaking, English for Nursing students, Freshman English, Sophomore English, Junior English, Senior English, Honors English, HESPA review, Drama, Poetry, and Literature courses. I also mentored for the softball team and was the chess coach for many years.
During the past three years at East Side High School, I have worked with Mrs. R., an inclusion teacher in my freshman English classes. Mrs. R. and I discussed the modifications for students constantly, which enabled me to learn a plethora of information on the inclusion process and begin to understand the needs of inclusion students. I worked with Mrs. R. on student IEP’s, helped to create needed tutoring and mentoring programs, and worked on adapting lessons. Mrs. R.’s compassion and dedication to her students made me realize the importance of understanding learning disabilities.
To better serve my students, learning and sharing new ideas has been a main focus during my career. During my first years of teaching, I applied to graduate school at Columbia University and became a part of a cohort of 12 in-service teachers working towards a Master's in English. After finishing my master's, I looked for academic stimuli and new curriculum ideas through joining and participating in the Dodge Poetry Foundation through readings, events, curriculum planning, and judging. I have also worked on my personal pursuits and am a published poet as well as participating artist in art shows and readings.
In the hope of becoming more prepared to help my future students, I am returning for my second masters in Special Education. With my second masters, I hope to gain a full understanding of learning disabilities and adaptations that will aid students with these disabilities as well as the general population.
Education is key to success and I enjoy helping all my students reach their maximum potential.
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