Philosophy of Teaching

            We’ve all heard, “Teaching is a calling, not a career choice.”  I couldn’t agree more!  In fact, growing up and becoming a teacher was the last thing on my agenda after high school.  I struggled through elementary school and my self-esteem was low because of it.  Reflecting on my own education, one particular teacher stands out.  She took the time to build a relationship with me that showed me she truly cared.  She focused on my strengths, what I could do well and helped me to believe in myself.  At the time, I never realized the impact she would have on my life.

            Later, working in a Special Education classroom as a teacher’s aide made me realize my desire to help children.  And so, I was 27 years old, and married with two small children, before I realized teaching was calling me. 

            I bring to the classroom patience, positive encouragement, and understanding of children’s struggles and I feel I can help them believe in themselves and work toward success. 

            Helping children discover the joy and excitement in learning is one of my goals as a teacher.  Learning is a life long process.  To have curiosity and wonder about the world around them, will help children become self initiated learners, life long learners.  My enthusiasm about teaching directly impacts my students’ learning and achievement.  Although much learning goes on within the confines of the classroom walls, learning needs to carry over into children’s homes, communities, and throughout their lives.  So by helping them become self initiated learners, I hope they will continue to look for knowledge beyond their school years. 

            As a teacher, it is important for me to teach my students life skills, such as respecting themselves and others, taking responsibility, being trustworthy and reliable, exhibiting good citizenship, and showing kindness and concern for others.  These skills are the basis of all learning.  We strive to live by these positive traits within my classroom, and the children feel safe and accepted.  I work at building relationships with my students by modeling these life skills.  I genuinely like all of my students, I accept them as they are and encourage them to grow and learn.

            The rewards of teaching are tremendous.  To watch the children accomplish new skills, cooperate with their classmates and work as a team, or believe in themselves are just a few things that bring satisfaction to my job as a teacher.

 

Educational Background

            I graduated from Northern State University in 1991 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education.  I have a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education, and a minor in Early Childhood Education.  Through additional course work, I also received an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education.  I strive to improve my teaching skills and take additional graduate credits pertinent to my current teaching assignment whenever possible. 

 

Teaching History

            For the last 13 years (1995-2008), I have taught within the Iroquois School system.  The last four years have been in 3rd grade and a 3rd/4th grade combination classroom.  Prior to that, I was the resource room teacher in the elementary for 7 years and resource room teacher in the high school/middle school for 2 years.  As the elementary resource room teacher, I also worked within our school system’s preschool program. 

            I taught from August, 1991 to May, 1995, within the Redfield School District, three years as the Early Childhood Intervention Program teacher and one year as a Kindergarten teacher.  As the Early Childhood Intervention Program teacher, I worked closely with the Head Start Program Staff.  We shared facilities, staff, and planned lessons jointly. 

 

Professional Associations

            My current professional memberships include SDEA/NEA, South Dakota Reading Council, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.  I have been a negotiator for the Iroquois Education Association. 

            While attending college, I was also a member of the honorary societies of Phi Eta Sigma, and Kappa Delta Pi. 

 

Staff Development Leadership Activities

            Last summer I was enrolled at the University of South Dakota in the Dakota Writing Project.  I will have follow-up opportunities in the future to share knowledge and writing strategies gained from the DWP with my teaching colleagues and future Dakota Writing Project teachers. 

            I recently participated in the study circles component of the Horizons II Community Leadership Development Project in Iroquois.  This ongoing project will provide future community leadership opportunities.

            As the Early Childhood Intervention Program teacher in Redfield, I attended IFSP training, and in turn presented information and conveyed personal experience about planning, preparing, and initiating Individual Family Service Plans at a Special Education meeting in Aberdeen. 

            While teaching Kindergarten in Redfield, two of my colleagues and I presented two sessions of instructional ideas for teaching basic skills in reading, writing, and math, during an area teacher in-service.

            Numerous college students taking teacher training have observed and worked within my various classrooms. 

 

Awards and Recognition       

            I received the American Legion Teacher of the Year Award for the Iroquois School District in November 2006.  During the 2005-2006 school year, I was selected for the Teacher Feature in the Aberdeen American News.