I started working with students as a swim instructor. I love swimming and taught students from 6 months to 13 years old. I designed the lessons and implemented them using all the available materials. Seeing students grow as swimmers gave me a lot of joy.
I also worked for two day care centers assisting the lead teacher designing and implementing lessons in a safe learning environment. I enjoyed working with the students on arts and craft projects and taking them outside to explore outside and play on the playground. I also made sure the students played and ate in a clean environment.
During this time, I was also attending undergraduate school, majoring in childhood education grades 1-6. When I was attending college, I learned how to create lessons and made or purchased the materials to implement the lessons. I made a fishing game for third grade students to practice their vocabulary words. I also taught a science unit on the life cycle of a butterfly. For this unit, I created two interactive bulletin boards where the students were able to label the body parts of a caterpillar and a butterfly. I have taught mathematics such as rounding, estimating, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, geometry, and much more. I have taught history and I am working on ways to make learning history more interesting and fun for students.
Currently, I am a substitute teacher in the Alden Central School District. I have worked in the school district for the past three years and have implemented lessons for grades K - 12th. I worked with students who do and do not have disabilities. I am also working on my Master's degree in Special Education grades 1-6.
When working with students, I follow the three Fs, firm, fair, and fun. I believe when working with students a teacher needs to start out firm so that students will respect the teacher and learn the rules of the classroom. Fairness is a quality that all teachers need as well. When there is a situation between several students, a teacher needs to hear all sides of the situation before disciplining a child if needed. Lastly fun. I believe that if a teacher has fun teaching, then the students will have fun learning and will learn more.
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