I have chosen to pursue a career as a preschool teacher in a public school setting. A public school setting offers many resources and trainings that might not otherwise be present at private institutions. I feel like preschool teaching is a good fit for me due to my prior experience working with children as a substitute teacher. I witnessed firsthand excellent classroom techniques and strategies that I would be excited to implement in my classroom. The foundation to a successful academic career begins in preschool. I personally feel I have the experience to help equip students with the necessary academic and life skills to have a productive academic career.
My theoretical position on teaching and learning includes having a positive attitude and transmitting this positivity to students. This positivity requires that teachers use a child’s natural curiosity about the world and channel it into meaningful experiences. Teachers must be excited about learning and their lessons must reflect this emotion. For example, engaging students with hands-on experiences will open up their curiosity and push them to ask questions and partake in stimulating discussion. Hands on experiences include such things as the use of technology and mathematical and scientific tools. Research has consistently shown that the use of technology in the classroom can be a formative tool (Hall, Quinn and Gollnick, 2014). Furthermore, using imaginations to create stories and perform dramas is a vital part of a child’s development. To assist students in reaching their potential, it is my responsibility to know them as individuals, their cultural backgrounds, their prior knowledge and their interests. In this way I am able to incorporate this knowledge into engaging and meaningful lessons for all my students. This is important because research shows that there is a positive correlation between high classroom engagement and attendance and achievement (Jablon and Wilkinson, 2006). A child who attends school with a good attendance rate and achieves academically is a child who will be a well-rounded citizen, a life-long learner, and contributing member of society. This is the purpose and hope of a quality education.
In order to teach pre-school, such as pre-kindergarten, in a public school setting, I would need certain credentials. First of all, I would need to complete a four year course of study (Bachelor’s degree) at an accredited college or university in the field of early childhood education. Next, I would have to obtain the proper certification. For example, I would need to take a teacher preparation program in order to pass the Generalist Core Subjects Early Childhood through Sixth Grade Test. Once I have passed this test, then I would need to complete an online application in order to be certified by my state agency.
As a teacher, I am a natural leader in the classroom and in the school building. I have to work with both administrators and fellow colleagues to ensure that my students are achieving at the highest level possible. The National Education Association, or NEA, has set forth standards that guide us to becoming outstanding classroom teachers for the benefit of the students. One standard especially important to my philosophy of teaching is being able to encourage an atmosphere of collaboration that will be the foundation for effective teaching and learning (Teacher Leader Model Standards, 2011). This is instrumental to my philosophy because without collaboration, we as teachers cannot share the best practices for our students. It is imperative that open communication take place so that we can impart the knowledge and wisdom it takes to teach our students in an effective and nourishing manner. Another standard that is valued and encouraged in my chosen field is the promotion of professional development for the purpose of ongoing improvement (Teacher Leader Model Standards, 2011). This is important because it is what guides my philosophy. If I expect my students to be lifelong learners, then I must also require it of myself. I must be a role model to my students. A third standard that is important is the expectation that teachers must continuously improve instruction and student learning (Teacher Leader Model Standards, 2011). This standard ties in with my philosophy because the only way to accomplish this is to communicate with other teachers and students so that I can continuously learn about the latest research on how to make lessons and classroom time more engaging and meaningful. Finally, a fourth standard that should be inherent in our character is that teachers should always be advocates for the teaching profession and student learning. This standard implies that as teachers, we are to be the voice of the children in our communities. If there are needs in the classroom that need to be met, then we must look into our communities for the needed resources. For example, if we want to have a Family Math Night or a school carnival, we need to engage the community in order to have volunteers participating in school events. These events are real world, hands on events that give our students the opportunity to be engaged in the learning process and to satiate their natural curiosity. It is our task to build trust in the community and be transparent in terms of what is happening in the classrooms in order to achieve success for all.
My goal is to become a preschool teacher, but my dream is to make an impact in the lives of young children. It is known that children build their own worlds based on the experiences and differing perspectives to which they are exposed (Hohmann and Weikart, 1995). I want to expose them to positive experiences and viewpoints so that they start their academic career on the right path.
References
Hall, G. E., Quinn, L. F., & Gollnick, D. M. (2014). Introduction to teaching: Making a
difference in student learning. Los Angeles: Sage Publishing.
Hohmann, M., & Weikart, D. P. (1995). Educating young children: Active learning processes for
preschool and child care programs. Early Childhood Counts, 2(4), 13-41.
Jablon, J. R., & Wilkinson, M. (2006, March). Using Engagement Strategies to facilitate
children's learning and success. Retrieved August 8, 2016, from
https://www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200603/JablonBTJ.pdf
http://www.nea.org/home/43946.htm
