Introduction




 * My Brief Bio**

My name is Valerie Hicks and I have known I wanted to be a teacher of young children since I was in the fourth grade. I have been working with children since that time. I participated in Operation Bridge, a program for special needs students, for three summers between elementary school and high school. Throughout high school I was an officer, and eventually the President of FEA - Future Educators of America. I also have been providing home child care for nearly nine years for a number of families, including newborn infants. Children are my passion which is why my career path is that of an early childhood educator, where I will focus on helping those students with special needs. I have an older brother who is married and I have a nephew who is 10 years old. I live at home with my parents but can't wait until I am out on my own.


 * My Teaching Philosophy**

I believe that all students learn differently from each other and that we as teachers should have a variety of ways to get a lesson across. Students have three ways they learn best and that is not to say that they only use one way or the other. They can either learn by auditory, visual, or kinesthetic. All teachers should have in their plans at least these three different ways to teach a lesson. My best strategy for each lesson is to explain it first, then give an example, and finally put the student into small groups to work together. Teachers should also make their students feel comfortable in the classroom. There is nothing worse than feeling out of place in a room where you are supposed to learn. When I have a classroom I want the students’ input on how they would like the room, I want to hear their ideas. Classrooms should be inviting, warm, and a place where students can spend eight or so hours comfortably. Parents area huge part of the learning process and I strongly encourage parents to come in to the classroom and help as much as possible. To me one of the most important things about teaching is being a TEACHER, not a friend, a mother or father, or grandparent. I have seen classrooms where teachers treat students differently from one another and to me that is not right. If you spend extra help from the teacher start to resent the teacher. All students should have the same opportunities as the next. Therefore, I will make sure that each of my students gets time privately with me, whether it is to ask me a question or just to have one-on-one time with an adult.

Teachers should know what is developmentally appropriate for students in their classroom. When teachers make up their lesson plans for the curriculum they should make sure that each one of the students will be able to understand the lesson. Teachers should also incorporate play into their lessons. Children need time to get out their energy and what better way than playing and learning at the same time. When I get into the classroom, I plan to have many ways to teach lessons through play, especially when it comes to spelling words. To me it was hard to learn to spell and when I would put a beat or rhythm to my words I did much better. So right off, music will be a big part of teaching.

Overall, teaching is what I live for. I can’t think of anything that I would rather do with the rest of my life. I get so excited just thinking about how I can make a difference in a child’s life. The looks on a child’s face when they have learned something new is so amazing and the feeling it gives me to know that I taught them what they have learned drives me to do it every day.