My Teaching Experience In Education

As I logged onto my Facebook account last week, I received a notification saying that this time last year I was a Junior Knight Summer Camp volunteer photographer. I was in total disbelief because this year I actually got the chance to teach rising sixth graders along with my other two cohort members. I must say that being a “teacher” is completely different than being a “volunteer”. As a teacher, you are held accountable for everything that goes on in and out of your classroom that involves your students. I had the opportunity to be apart of the preparation process, build rapport with my students, build great co-teaching relationships and develop my leadership qualities even further.

My decision to be a teacher did not come easily to me. This choice was dependent on a reflection about what I was passionate about and how I could make a difference. I have chosen to become a teacher, as I believe teachers have the ability to provide future generations the stimulation for one of the most significant roles in life; to become a lifelong learner. Many teachers that I have had during my education have had a positive impact on my decision to grow and develop the skills that are fundamental to pursue a successful teaching career. My aim is to be a part of an honorable profession with the optimism that one day I will become an efficacious teacher who can provide future teachers with inspiration, as my teachers have provided for me. Through personal educational experiences and peer-reviewed academic literature, I am able to shape my approach to my pre-service teaching, as it will influence my future practice. As a teacher, there is not just one singular approach to educating students; there is a need for flexibility, diversity, adaptation and reflection.

I am currently employed as a Level 2 Teaching Assistant at Oakway Academy in Wellingborough. Since starting in October 2013, I have worked in Year 4, Year 2 and I am currently working in a Reception class. Within my role I am responsible for helping children with their work, supporting the Teacher in setting up, gathering and clearing away resources as well as carrying out pupil observations and completing relevant tracking paper work. I have also completed training on Read, Write, Inc. Phonics and have taught my own Phonics groups over the last 2 years.

While doing my practicum experience I realized many things about students and the diversity that surrounds the classroom. My practicum classroom had twenty-four students, there was one student on a behavioral IEP, three ELL students, 4 students on IEPs. Out of the four student on IEPs one of the students had Down Syndrome. In the classroom, there was another student on the verge of being on an IEP, but there was too many variables that did not allow her the opportunity to get on an IEP. After considering all of these students learning and behavioral needs the teacher needs to consider home life. Some parents shelter the students, while other parents allow their children to experience life not as sheltered. Diversity surrounds the classroom

All throughout the summer of 2016, I had spent my time volunteering at the Chinese Christian Mission kid’s summer camp. After my summer vacation ended, I found myself really appreciating the accompaniment of children and wanting to continue my involvement with them. I seeked out for more opportunities to work with children and discovered an afterschool homework club through a friend's facebook post. After reading up on their website, I was interested in helping elementary school students develop essential math and literacy skills. It was my objective to enhance their self-esteem through improvement in academic skills and ignite a passion for learning in a safe and caring environment. Starting out first as a tutor, then becoming coordinator, I have volunteered with Learning Buddies Network for more than a year now.

I wish to introduce myself as Elizabeth Nisha Pradheep, a young Commerce graduate from University of Chennai, India who wishes to do a course in Education. I do have an aptitude for teaching and want to take teaching as my profession.

3. Linking generic, disciplinary, professional and teachers with school context and problems of students skills.

When my mother was young and just starting in school she was told she would be nothing more than a house wife. All that I am, all of my personal and academic success all derives from this one incident. Imagine that, Imagen being young and having someone older and a respected member of the school system in your young eye tell you that you well never amount to anything more than a house wife. Why my mother was told this? The same reason I was told that it would be highly unlikely that I would ever read higher than a fifth grade reading level. My mother and I are dyslexic.

I always thought of myself as someone who was resilient, but after my day of working as a swim teacher that word no longer seemed to describe me. I grew up playing school with my cousins and even taught at my church’s sunday school. I knew that my destiny was to become a teacher, so when the opportunity to teach swim lessons sprung up I was quick to apply. After getting the job and completing training, I couldn't wait to teach my first class

INTRODUCTION:When I was fourteen years old, my family and I, traveled to Guatemala as a part of a Common Hope Mission team. For a week I was exposed to extreme poverty, hunger and a culture so different than my own. Through various activities I came to realize just how fortunate I was back at home and how much I took things for granted and became disgusted with how I had been living seeing these people and how they lived. This was an experience that I will never forget, but will never get again because it was so personal and unique.

I have often thought about my own educational experiences that lead to my choice in becoming a teacher. I have many positive memories about my previous years of school and a few negative ones too. Could it be the atmosphere of my school, my peers, the amazing teachers, or even the bad teachers that guided me to my decision? The reality is that all of those experiences lead to my decision in becoming a teacher. Some of my teachers became mentors, while others I shrugged away from in the hall. Many of the other students became friends that would help push me to become the person I am today. Most importantly my education was made great by the community and families that also surrounded the school.

I teach because of my insatiable passion to motivate, inspire, and to positively impact my students in a way that will encourage lifelong learning. I believe the best way to positively influence any student is to first build rapport with them. After I establish that relationship, I will proceed to teach and lead that student to academic success. My teaching will be student-centered and focused heavily on inquiry based teaching aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards. I also plan on continuing my education through taking classes, attending conferences, and by traveling.

I have over seven years’ experience working for two private colleges. In such a short time, I was able to learn about other departments and gain valuable experiences about how each department operates to change students’ lives and outcomes.

When looking back at my education in the past, I would say that I am happy with my overall experience. I do think that there was some areas that were more challenging than others, but this was a reflection of more than just educational factors. We consider all of the things that happen in our lives and pile them into different experiences. When thinking about specifically my educational experience, I feel accomplished and thankful for the kind of education and support I received a while in school. I am grateful to have only attended one school from Kindergarten to 12th grade, with the exception of having to switch buildings for 9th-12th grade. I am happy to say that the teachers in my past have played a big role in my reasoning for wanting to become a teacher. I remember sitting in a desk and thinking, “This is what I want to do when I get older” during my 4th grade Math class. I was lucky to attend a school that was small in quantity, but not quality. I knew all of my teachers, and future teachers from other grades. I felt lucky to go through school with peers from Grade K-12 and graduate with people I have spent my entire education with. I liked having tutoring resources when needed and feeling like I could help others in need as well. I felt like my school education was like family to me. I think it is important to be comfortable with the teachers and classmates in your school setting. It makes learning and overall class atmospheres less overwhelming and anxious in my opinion.

One of the most important things about being a teacher is knowing your strengths, and how to use them to your advantage. Finding personal successes are crucial to discovering who you are as an educator. So many of my proudest moments have occurred in the past two years, and all of them have taught me valuable lessons that I am so lucky to have as a future teacher.