New School, New Major!

I originally created this blog for my Early Childhood Education Associate's Degree, and it was a great tool to connect with fellow student teachers, and especially, to reflect on my experiences in the classroom.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE scroll down and check out my previous work.  I'm excited to share it with you all!
I think we should keep our blogs open as means of communication.  Personally, my Facebook is for my family and friends that live out of town, and I like to have a distinct line between my personal life and work/school.  That is not to say I don't want to get to know any of you better -- I certainly do!  I simply like the privacy of Blogger more than Facebook.
I look forward to hearing from you all soon!

Take care,

Sarah

PS - Pictures are fun!

Here I am with my family at brunch -- one of our favorite things to do together is eat good food!

This is it...

I feel like a better teacher.  I also feel like I am ready to move forward in my education.  it was very nice being back in the classroom.  Like I have said before, it's nice to be reminded why I went back to school full time.  I have learned a lot about my teaching strengths, and things I need to work on.  I have learned a lot about what I like in my classroom, and what I will not do in my classroom.  Basically, I have learned a lot.
I am thankful for the experience to be apart of two different classes.  Not only were they based upon different philosophies, the classrooms were different because, well, they were different. 
Thanks to my teachers, you guys in class, and my family for making this possible.  I cannot lie, I am very much looking forward to these couple of weeks before summer school when I can be with my daughter, go to the farmer's market, and dust off my bicycle. 

It's a wonderful feeling when you get to work and you are bombarded with hugs.  These children have impacted me, just as I have them, and I look forward to continue to watch them grow as my daughter may be joining their class.
Thanks to Kathleen, Mary Webb, Bri, Andrea, Melissa, Jackie, Jamie, Jennie, and Sarah!  I needed my Fridays in which I was able to vent and get feedback about my theme days and lesson plans.  You all were a great support.
And, thank you, Asiya for creating a learning environment in which I felt comfortable and inspired to continue my education. 
Namaste!

What a Difference Curriculum Makes

HCDC is quite a change from Head Start.  I have to say it is a breath of fresh air to be back in an early childhood classroom that reminds me of why I chose this career in the first place. 
I quit my job two years ago to become a full time student working towards my degree in Early Childhood Education here at the community college.  I had an infant, was directing a preschool, and taking a few classes... it was just too much.  After being in classes for a couple years, I think I was beginning to lose sight of why I had chosen this path for myself.  HCDC has made me realize (again) why:  I am good at what I do, I love what I do, I am fulfilled by what I do, and I become a better person from what I do.  What do I do?  I work with young children!
The African Kingdom is a large classroom, with up to 19 children ranging from 2.5-4 years, and no less than 10 until after 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  Transitions with this many children at this age are going to be interesting, but I feel like the could be less chaotic -- especially after lunch into bathroom, teeth brushing, and napping.  The teachers get caught up in their side talk because one teacher is just arriving, one is getting ready to leave, and everyone needs to be caught up on the day's events.  The thing is, they usually start talking about other, personal things as well.  Today, for example, there was a 4-teacher conversation about IKEA while the children were eating.  When this is going on, it's hard for me to keep my children engaged at the table.  I had a lot of boys growling at each other until they were almost blue in the face!  And magically, when the teacher side-talk ceased, I had the attention of the children.
Overall, I feel more at home at HCDC than I do at Head Start, and at the same time, I like Head Start more because I am going to get my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.  The classroom I am in now needs more structure and the one I just came from needs to lessen the reigns.
As I have said before, it is all a learning experience and I am grateful for every moment of it.

We've been having so much fun!

So long, Head Start!

My eight weeks at Head Start are over, but my thoughts still go to the children and teachers I met and became friends with during that time.  It is a wonderful thing the program does for the children and their families.  Attending a Head Start staff meeting lead me to tears when hearing of the families that have bene touched by the program.
It's philosophy is to better the lives of the children not only through their stay at school, but by reaching out to the parents as well.  I never got to meet any parents because the children are bussed in, but I could tell that the teachers had a good relationship with the families. 
Due to my education from JCCC, it was easy for me to see the many things that were certainly not considered "Developmentally Appropriate Practice," and due to my experience with children living under the poverty threshold, I was able to see the overall head start (punn intended) that these children and families were receiving.  The program is trying to help the children to like school so that they stay in school.  Many of the children would be staying at home with little school-realted work, so when they come to Head Start, they are being exposed to what they will be doing for the next 13-15 years.
I applaud the faculty at Harmony Early Childhood Center for making me feel not only welcome, but needed and appreciated during my time there.  As soon as I was becoming attached, it was time for me to leave!  I will most-definitely be back to visit.

Introduction to Student Teaching - Head Start

I am currently in my sixth week at Head Start.  My first Theme Day is looming on the horizon, and I don't want my nerves to get the best of me... no time to think of that, though!
All has been well, and I have learned a lot about myself this semester.  I have been working with the two and three year olds often in the past couple semesters during Foundations and Observing and Interacting, as well as at my previous job.  So, while I love the older children (that I am working with now and hoping to teach professionally), I need to brush up on their developmental stages. 
The Developmental Profiles book helps a great deal, and I also have previous classes' texts books to review.  Nothing beats the education you get in the classroom, though!
I would say it took three to four weeks for me to feel fully comfortable in the classroom.  By then, I was confident in my guidance and discipline strategies, and could also successfully implement the philosophy of the classroom. 
There have been a few times that I did not know what to do with a child that went "limp" and would not make eye contact with me or respond to any verbal communication.  I said to the teacher, "I do not know what to do here.  I need help," and she came over to talk with the boy.  He responds better to his teacher, even though I have tried to fulfill that role with him. 

Whenever I catch myself in a situation that leaves me feeling frustrated, I have learned to take a deep breath and let it go.  I tell myself, "These are children we are working with.  I am the adult."  This split second of self-reflection gives me the strength to collect myself and face the situation with compassion instead of anger/frustration.
I quit my job at Whatsoever Community Center two years ago in order to go back to school full-time -- it was an utterly bittersweet moment.  I knew I would be able to provide for my child in the long-run, but I was walking away from my classroom aka my passion.  I am grateful to be back in the classroom, and I have enjoyed every minute -- good or bad, IT'S ALL A LEARNING EXPERIENCE!