Professional Education Experiences
First Year of Teaching
Grade School Room Saint Paul's Childhood Center
My first year of teaching has been quite different than I had expected. I don't know if any teachers could have anticipated the last year of distance learning, hybrid learning and running a classroom that is as COVID safe as possible. I feel extremely blessed to have spent the last school year at SPCC in their grade school classroom. I have spent the last year fostering a positive and safe learning environment for my kindergarten-3rd grade students who are distance learning in the Twin Cities. Our classroom provided a physical safe place where we navigated the many difficult experiences of my students and our community throughout our time together. SPCC is a school which is based upon the Reggio Emilia method of education, a method which is founded on childhood exploration, and that there 100 ways in which a child sees and learns and navigates the world. My co-teacher and I had the wonderful privilege of navigating such a difficult year with such a diverse group of learners, each with their own needs, ideas and gifts. Our classroom focused on showing children their own greatness and the greatness in one another, that they are capable and strong and that they make a difference every single day. I could not have anticipated this difficult time as a first year teacher but I cannot picture a more fruitful or beautiful way to have spent this time. I am extremely proud of my students and all they they are becoming. |
Student Teaching
Saint Anne's First Grade Placement
My second student teaching placement was at Saint Anne's Catholic School in first grade. I learned so much about how capable children are in handling difficult topics and their desire to make a difference in the life of others. I loved the many lessons where the children and I would approach a problem to be solved together, where we discussed and worked together to make a difference. I grew in my practice of constructivist education, where my role as teacher was to guide through questions and allow for child exploration. BECEP Head Start Preschool Placement My first student teaching placement was at BECEP Head Start Preschool where my class had 3-5 year old children. I really fell in love with the unique experiences that my diverse class of learners gifted me with each and every day. Head Start showed me a unique capacity I have for creating powerful connections with my students through everyday interactions. I was finally able to see how the nurtured heart approach and conscious discipline help children see their unique greatness and are given a sense of autonomy in their classroom. I took part in creating a positive classroom environment where children knew that they belonged and can make a difference. |
Montessori Placement
Montessori Atrium Placement
My elementary placement is at the Private Montessori School, Christ the King in Mandan. My practicum teacher is Ms. Jacobson, who teaches Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for all the students of the school. I have been working with students from ages 3-12 and my time in the atrium has been very beautiful! This placement has greatly impacted my views of student independence in their learning. The students in the environment know how to do their work and may all be working on an entirely different task at the same time. The students gradually become more and more independent in their learning throughout their advancement in years. Montessori has taught me so much about the teachable moment, using guidance language to run a classroom and how students can thrive in small group hands-on lessons. |
Early Childhood PlacementsToddler Placement
My placement was in a toddler classroom at Kinderkids Learning Center for ages 2-3. I spent 25 hours in this practicum. My toddler placement impacted my understanding of early learning. I got to experience a diverse classroom where students were from all sorts of backgrounds and abilities. I learned so much about how differently students learn, even from an early age. Preschool Placement
My preschool placement was at Leap Ahead preschool in Bismarck ND, for ages 3-5. My practicum teacher was Mrs. Frye and I spent 20 hours in this practicum placement. This placement developed my skills for hands-on and holistic learning in the classroom. I loved the opportunity to teach hands-on (and a little messy) lessons which enhanced student learning. Kindergarten Placement
My kindergarten placement was at Sunrise Elementary School in Bismarck, where my practicum teacher was Mrs. Gust. I was in this practicum placement for 20 hours. I was able to see how much these students were capable of. They were eager to learn and thrived in the classroom structure, and jumped at the chance to be creative. The lessons which I taught in this setting developed by professional abilities at a whole new level, as I worked with a larger group of diverse students. I also learned a lot about how students can problem solve and work within a structure in this practicum. |