University Of North Carolina - Greensboro Pail Program

I love working with kids, I have my Elementary Teaching Certification for grades K-6 from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Similarly, from July to August 2014 I worked as a Teachers Aide at Ramapo Explorers: STEM CAMP, providing a positive and supportive classroom management system for middle school students. From March 2014 to August 2014 I worked at Golden Steps Learning Center where I was a Teachers Assistant. My responsibilities included: composing a lesson plan and assisting the teacher on their lesson. Then from June to August 2015 I was a Teachers Assistant at the Goddard School. I experienced solo class time and improvised in order to keep class running smoothly and stay on a tight schedule. Then from September-December 2015 I student

I have distinctly applied for Special Needs Education because special education has always been what’s near and dear to me in the field of education. Being a special education teacher would be an inevitably rewarding job, in which I get to watch my students grow, as I celebrate their small breakthroughs and victories with them. These small breakthroughs and victories will improve over time and turn into giant leaps, which will leave a lasting impact and ultimately change the child’s life. Beyond just educating children with special needs, I aspire to educate the public about children with special needs and special education. By doing so, I hope to remove any uncertainty and fear the public has on this group of children. Not only do I want to impart knowledge on these special children, I also want to advocate for them, which is something that goes

I always thought I would be a teacher and I would make differences in lives and it would be the greatest experience in the world for me, yet being a teacher wasn’t enough, I had a need to expand my education. I decided that perhaps I needed a new career, however, I felt certain education remained my passion. I began to explore new areas of education and I realized I still want to be a member of a classroom, a school and curriculum. I aspire to guide those leading our classrooms.

I am an English and Math tutor on Bay Farm Island, where I teach children from the main Island and even Oakland. I found I had a love for teaching when I began helping my siblings with their homework in middle school. It was simple homework back then, so I did not think much of it, but it slowly developed into a passion. I was always good at working with kids, but I just thought that meant I would be a good mom one day! When I started working at my tutoring center, I even told my employer that I wanted to work with the younger kids, simply because it was my comfort zone. She placed me with the older students however, and although I was nervous about it, I ended up loving it! I am an avid believer in the power of education, and I see it everyday when I work with my middle schoolers. One of my students, came in shy and reserved socially. Her grades were below average, but she had determination within her. She came in willing to learn, and after teaching her for just two months, she flourished. She is now a cheerleader at her school, with amazing grades on her tests, and continually gets positive feedback from all her teachers. She is only in the 5th grade, but I know that I have impacted her life for the better. The education we gave her, made her have the confidence to put herself out there and do well in class. It is children like her, that influenced me to

In 2011 I began working for the School District as a part-time administrative secretary, then had the opportunity to move into the classroom and work with K-8 graders for three years. Prior to that, I worked for the Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) from 1994 – 2011 in many capacities. So now, my working career has come full circle and I’m thrilled to be in a position that continues to support our youth and education.

Because of my love for children I began volunteering at a local daycare center in my community. Initially I volunteered a few hours per week reading and mentoring the children at the center. After two-years of volunteering, I was asked to work part-time as an assistant teacher in a preschool classroom. I enjoy working in the classroom because it gives me a glimpse of what I would be doing once I obtain my elementary education degree. In addition

For my field experience hours I had the privilege of working at Angels Reach Academy for Divergent Learners. As fate would have it in February of this year I was offered a position and I jumped at the opportunity. My sister who is also a teacher started working there at the start of the school year. Unfortunately, at the time there were no position available for me as well. However, in February a position became available and that meant I would be for the first time working with children of varying disabilities. I began on Feberuary 10, 2016, I was nervous and eager all at the same time.

I have been in the field of special education for more than 20 years, as a self-contained, transition to work high school special educator, as an educational specialist at a school for students with severe learning disabilities, a resource teacher for students for students on the autism spectrum and emotional handicaps, and as a Director of Special Programs. Regarding my teaching experiences, they were all limited to high school aged students, it was not until I became a Director of Special Programs did I have the honor of working with students and families of all ages and grade levels.

My past personal and professional experience started with volunteering at a childcare facility in 2008. I was only 17 old and I would come after school to help out with the different age groups from ages 2 to 6 years old and also after schools ages 7 to 12. When I would come after school I would assist the teachers with activity preparations, organization and documentation regarding the files for the students and making sure that everything was up to date. Ever since volunteering at a childcare facility I started to become more interested in teaching and how much an influence I can be when it came to teaching. My freshman year in high school had introduced me to some amazing teachers throughout my adolescent years and it continued throughout

I married and had two children. I worked for a well-known corporate company, where I did very well earning the position of supervisor. Shortly after the birth of my second child, my husband’s job was relocated to east Texas where he is actually from. I took that opportunity to stay home with my son. When my son was around 18 months old I gave into my dream of going back to school.

The day I got accepted into the iteachTexas program, I was so excited I just about called every single person in my address book. My loved ones replied with an overwhelming amount of "FINALLY!!!" I somehow always knew I was meant to be a special education teacher; however, throughout my journey to teaching, I've enjoyed the scenic route and explored some detours. In 2013 I got my bachelors degree from UNT in Rehabilitation Studies; I volunteered and worked at some fabulous organizations (Children's Advocacy Center, ARC of Denton, Health and Human Services, just to name a few). But I'm happy to announce, I've finally made it.

I have always wanted to be a Special Education Teacher because I love working with kids, and my personality fits

What do you want to be when you grow up? This common childhood question usually has a quick, easy answer in youth, but sometimes a more complex, unsure answer as one nears adulthood. What I wanted to be when I grew up evolved many times through childhood. Even at high school graduation there was no definite decision and too much left to explore. Later, after years of working in schools as a volunteer, substitute teacher, and tutor, I had not considered the field of special education. However, six months ago I accepted an offer to work as an exceptional children teaching assistant. Now I am surprised that my goal is to obtain a teaching license in special education; but in hindsight, I should not be because of this field’s correlation to my past interests and experiences.

Coming from a large family, I’ve been around babies and children since I was a child myself. this is where my passion for children originated. When I turned 12, I got my babysitting license from Red Cross as soon as I could sign up for the class. Then, after six years of various babysitting jobs here and there, I received my first professional job in education at an elementary school in my neighborhood, working for their after school program. Since that job I can’t imagine doing anything other than teaching.

While doing a good job in learning and doing many activities, I also paid significant attention to work experiences. During my Bachelor’s degree, I frequently tutored high school students by offering my time after school and during weekend. Currently I am still a private tutor for elementary and high school students. I teach mainly in Mathematics and Science. I feel that by tutoring students I am developing intellectual skills, generousness, and patience.