Grants for Education

My desire to be a teacher comes from my love of working with children. They constantly amaze me with their sincere outlook on
the world around them. I want to show them how wonderful the world is and show them why learning about it is important. I
want to be a hands-on teacher that uses many demonstrations to keep learning alive in the classroom. I feel that keeping the
students motivated by using lesson plans that help expand their minds and creativity will contribute to their success. I feel that
although school is a formal setting which needs to be taken seriously, adding an element of fun to enhance learning is not a bad
concept. I clearly understand when to insert a fun element in order to whet the learning appetite.
    Classroom management and expectations are areas that I plan to emphasize. I feel that students demand structure and routine
in order to feel safe and confident. This includes having daily routines as well as clearly stating lesson objectives. Ambiguity has
no place in my classroom. I want my students to know what is expected of them at all times. When students know expectations
they are able to learn with less disruptions and uncertainties. I will be sure that my students understand that if they do not
understand something that I am more than willing to discuss it with them. Stealing a phrase from big corporation management
styles, I plan to have an "open door" policy. I want to foster an environment where the students are secure in coming to me with
their concerns. I feel that students who know my expectations will lead to limited surprises when it comes to assessments,
behavior issues, and overall student self esteem.
    Diversity is an issue that is growing in American public schools. I feel that every student that enters my school deserves to be
welcomed equally. When I have students from other cultures or with disabilities in my class, I will educate myself to become
familiar with their needs. A "one size fits all" classroom does not meet the needs of every student. I think students should be
allowed to express themselves without making accommodations. This will present challenges but I will depend on my abilities to
research and communicate with other educators in order to create a classroom that is welcoming to all students.
    In recent years, a paradigm shift in assessment has taken place. I strongly believe that a successful teacher is constantly
assessing herself, her class, and her lessons and then making modifications as required. I feel that by informally assessing every
day, I can only offer a better education. Proper informal assessment will lead to stronger scores on more formal assessments and
allow students to achieve success. This will also be a challenge, but I feel this is something with utmost importance and I will
devote due diligence in order to be successful. I think a mistake in formal assessment is to not let the student find and correct
errors. I plan to implement a strategy that will allow students to make corrections and then be retested. It is important to me to
know that the student has an understanding of the material and exhibits growth by being able to retain knowledge after
corrections are made. Assessments are important on many levels in a student's academic career but the most important is that
the student comprehends the material.
    As a teacher I hope to touch the minds of many students. I know that as an elementary teacher, I may not be remembered by
students once they reach adulthood, but if the foundation I helped to build stays strong, then I have done my job successfully.
Being a teacher means I have the ability to shape not only my student's futures, but my own as well. I want to be a supporter of
at least one stepping stone to their great future.

Thanks,
Claudia.

Grants for Education

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