Early Childhood Educator in Oshawa, Ontario

I have been working with kids for 10 years. I first first started as a Co-op student at a day care centre. I was able to develop and deliver activities for the children that were ages 5-7. After high school I enrolled in the ECE program at Durham College. During my field placement at Durham College I experienced first-hand how to create and implement age appropriates activities for children based on the Day Nursery Act and based on the curriculum. During my field placement I worked in the infant, toddler, preschool and school aged classrooms. After graduating from the ECE program in 2007 I continued my education. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Education program where I gained experience in the classroom. I independently taught grade one and grade five students’ math and language skills and strategies. This practise has given me the opportunity to use multiple instructional strategies as well as differentiated instructions. These experiences have made me grow professionally as a teacher. After I graduated from Teachers College in 2012 I volunteered at a public school in Markham. I volunteered in various classrooms, Grade 1 and 2 classrooms. I was able to participate in an enriched guided reading program that has given me confidence to apply those literacy strategies to the classroom. In addition to volunteering, I was also a lunch room monitor. I facilitated in school safety by monitoring students behaviour, observing students environment and looking out for the well-being of all students by reporting misbehaviour or safety issues. In addition, I assisted in conflict resolution and problem solving using a variety of classroom management strategies. Working as a lunch room monitor has given me invaluable experiences that have enhanced my classroom management skills and strategies. In Sept 2013 to June 2014 I worked as a science teacher at a Montessori Centre in Pickering. I was given complete responsibility to organize and implement inquiry-based units as well as assess and evaluate students work and performance. Furthermore, I was involved in school sports and activities. My invaluable experiences have developed my leadership skills and have become instrumental in my growth as a teacher. In March 2014 I was hired by the York Region District School Board as an occasional teacher and I am still currently working as an occasional teacher at this board. My experience as an occasional teacher has given me the opportunity to apply different models of teaching that promotes responsibility and engagement in all students. In addition, I have developed various classroom management strategies, based on fairness, which maintains a well-structured classroom setting. My experience as an occasional teacher has made me more flexible and has helped me develop my own philosophy of teaching. I have ample experiences with children with special needs. During my field placement in 2006, I was introduced to a child with cerebral palsy. She had a walker and was not able to walk on her own. I was also introduced to a child with Autism. She was unable to communicate through speech. I had to accommodate/ modify some my lessons to fit the needs of all children. \r\nDuring my time as a science teacher and occasional teacher I am introduced to various students with special needs. I taught students with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, students that were hearing impaired, children with learning disabilities and a child who was born with congenital amputation. I provided accommodations and modifications of lessons when it was needed. In addition I have used assistive devices when it is needed. As an educator, I believe it is important to foster inclusiveness, encouragement and teamwork. I believe these qualities form a positive environment in which all students are able learn their best.