Resume and Letters of Reference Coming Soon!

Autobiography

Since the day I was born on April 20, 1986, my family has played a central role in my life. My priorities are set by a hierarchy that has been instilled in me over the past twenty years. Growing up in a small, tight-knit town has instilled in me the importance of ethics and conducting myself with integrity. In addition, the value the community placed on education was something I absorbed and believe in today.
Throughout high school I was active in several school and community organizations, many of which guided my decision to become an educator. My strong belief in service prompted me to take many leadership positions in high school including drum major of the marching band, class president, member of the National Honor Society, and the junior prom coordinator. As a part of my church community I was an assistant Sunday school teacher, provided music for services, and helped organize special after school events for younger children.

Working as a camp counselor at Camp Buckskin, a camp for children with cognitive, social, and learning disabilities, over the past two years has allowed me to develop exemplary behavior management and communication skills. In addition, teaching nature studies at camp has shown me the importance of tailoring lessons and teaching methods to the individual needs of students. My experiences at camp have also instilled in me the importance of teaching children to read as many of my campers had low levels of self-esteem and self-worth due to their academic difficulties, generally stemming from poor reading abilities. My experiences in my community and at camp have shaped who I am today and my vision for myself as an educator.

Philosophy

Wartburg College has been continually preparing me for a career in education since I began coursework in the fall of 2004. Through my academic courses and experiences in various classrooms I have developed a strong belief that all children can learn and grow in welcoming, supportive environments. Because of this I will strive to create a supportive community of learners in my classroom. Students will receive encouragement from me and will be encouraged to support one another. In addition, I will strive to help students discover their own intrinsic support to reach their goals.

I believe that education occurs on a continuum with direct teacher instruction at one end and autonomous student learning at the other. Elementary students will always require a certain amount of direct modeling and guidance, but I will strive to create an individual love of learning in all students. This love of learning will allow students to direct their own learning endeavors to independently explore topics of their choice. I believe that the highest purpose of teaching is to instill in students the value of education and to prepare them for a lifetime of independent inquiry and exploration.

From my experiences with children, I believe that democratic citizenship and social skills should hold a valuable place in the classroom. Working cooperatively in groups, offering constructive criticism, and using kind words and behaviors are all characteristics that should be discussed and praised in the classroom. Developing these behaviors in children will allow them to grow into effective leaders and participants in today’s society.