The Importance Of Being An Early Childhood / Special Education Essay

My philosophy of Early childhood education is based on research that indicates that a child’s growth is developmental. Every child is unique in terms of life experiences, developmental readiness, and cultural heritage. A high quality early childhood program that provides a safe and nurturing environment, which promotes physical, social, emotional, language and cognitive development will ensure a positive continuation of the child’s education process

“Play is developmentally appropriate for primary-age children and can provide them with opportunities that enrich the learning experience” (Copple & Bredekamp 2009). Early childhood education holds two main focuses; a child-based focus and a family-based focus. Early childhood education has positive outcomes on the child through their learning experiences, and their growth and development. Based on the family, the results of early education happen through the communication that the family has with the educators and by the encouragement they get from within themselves, and also from the educators.

I interviewed Ms. Askin at the elementary school in Houston County. She is a twenty seven years old fourth grade teacher and has been teaching for 4 years. She has a Master’s degree in early childhood education. She is my daughter’s aunt and we are very proud of her accomplishments as a young adult. Here is her view of her school’s Special Education Program.

I want to become someone who teaches, an educator, a role model, a teacher. I want to help children in their early childhood education. I want to become a teacher because teachers play a very big role in children’s lives. Not only do they serve as educators, but for many kids, the classroom is where they feel the safest. They feel welcomed and at home. For these certain kids it is their one place of stability where they are always guaranteed to be loved and get fed and to have fun. I enjoy watching kids grow and helping them develop their learning skills. Every kid needs a good education and I want to be the one giving them that good education. I want to make a difference in their lives and prepare them for the road ahead.

I have had the pleasure of viewing Ms. Coronado’s professional development over the past year, and I can state with assurance that she is a responsible and motivated person with a high degree of integrity. Workings for the same school district has let me witness Ms. Coronado surpass through her new role as a Special Education Teacher. When faced with challenges, she tackles them head on and it appears she enjoys the process of learning and overcoming difficulties. She takes the initiative to identify problems and develops solutions. Her role requires strong communication skills, and she has shown that she has the ability to cooperate and respect with the entire school staff.

When conversing with my peer educators such as my Principal, special education teacher, and a general education teacher who teaches Spanish I have come to the conclusion, the three individuals I chose have had a great deal of time within the secondary special education services over their years in education. Ranging from years of experience from fifteen years for my principal, to twenty-one years for my special education teacher, to a whopping thirty-four years for our Spanish teacher. Therefore, I know if I ever have any questions over special education issues I will be running to these individuals for help.

(a) I went to Community College of Philadelphia to obtain my Associate’s Degree in Applied Science of Early Education. I further my education at Chestnut Hill College; with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Human Services, minor psychology. I knew I did not want to stop my education; however I did not want to obtain a degree in the same field. With that in mind, I applied to Bloomsburg University MBA fast-track program. I will be graduating in August of 2017. (b) I am currently an Academy Director for a childcare center in the urban neighborhoods. A year is shortly approaching for me to be the Academy Director at the center; however, I been with the company for over seven years. Within the company I have been promoted many times to higher positions. In addition, I work as an Adult for Daily Living at a Drug and Alcohol place in the Suburban Area.

I am applying to your master’s program in Early Childhood Education for the Spring of 2016. I first enrolled at NIU in the fall of 2015 as a Student-at-Large. Since that time I have taken nine courses through the College of Education. Returning to school to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood has been a goal of mine for many years. When I began my undergraduate degree, I had not decided on a major and lacked a clear academic direction.

During a brief interview with Mrs. Poland a few minutes before class started on September 9 t, 2015 I asked her a question I gathered while observing almost the full day on Tuesday the 8th. After her answer I learned that Lewis E. Wadsworth is the only school that determined if a child is in needs of ESE services. Guess who came up with this amazing process that has been showing to be beneficial? It is the wonderful teacher I was honored to observe Mrs. Lesley Poland. I don’t even know where to start. I was initially nervous when I signed in at the front desk, however as soon as I entered the classroom I immediately felt at home. Mrs. Poland and Mrs. Kathy both made me feel welcomed and comfortable. Mrs. Kathy is

On March 6, 2017, one of the assistant principals and I conducted a formal observation of a special education teacher. The observation happened at the Cholla High School.

First I would love to reflect on my experiences in my fieldwork classroom. I have to say I was quite nervous the first day I arrived. I have had experiences with special education students with my own family and other students I had to opportunity to work with, but never in this capacity. Emily was a great mentor teacher, she

Early childhood education is for children from the ages three to eight years old. In this field there are four learning goals that early programs have for a young child.

Lisa Cady knows this and she always made sure she gave me the extra help I needed to pass her classes. This makes me want to become a special education teacher because often this is what happens to the students with mental and physical disabilities. I want to create a classroom where all my students feel safe and comfortable to be themselves just like Lisa does with all of her classrooms each year. One of her other questions that really made me think about my career was question number nine. It asked Lisa Cady to give me advice for the next four years in order to be prepared to become a teacher. She told me, “Try out different age groups. I know you already have experience from high school with the Best Buddies Club. So, try younger age groups. Get a feel for multiple school districts and areas and feel out the one that suits you the best.” (CITATION). This actually made me reflect on my experiences so far in my field placement classroom. Lisa and I talked about my field placement a little after the interview and I was very interested in continuing to pursue the younger age groups when it comes to teaching. Up until a few days ago I didn’t know what age group I wanted to focus on, but after this interview and teaching my first lesson with kindergarten I think Lisa helped me figure it out for now. The last question I wanted to reflect on was question number 15 and this is one of the four that I made up for her to answer.

During my program observation, I observed the local elementary. This elementary educates level Pre-Kindergarten to Second Grade. For my project, I chose the aware and active age of Pre-K. This specific classroom held a variety of ages preparing for kindergarten, starting at five to six years old, with 14 children. While I was observing, the main teacher taught many of the centers, and lessons, although there was another supervisor that would stop in and take one student who had trouble staying focused and remaining calm. This advisor would stop in once every few hours to give this child a quick break, and reminded him of appropriate behavior. After my interview with the professional, the qualifications required for this location include Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, required by law. The teacher who lead this classroom of pre-kindergarteners attended the University of Northern Iowa. Most of the children in this classroom were around the age of six, one student who was the youngest turned six the day school started, and most celebrate their half birthdays during winter time.

Building relationships with families and communities is an important part of early childhood education because it aims to incorporate everyone that is involved in young children’s lives. Families should be an integral part of the classroom. A child’s family is the most important thing in their lives and their first teachers. In early childhood settings families, should feel welcomed and comfortable. This means welcoming them into the classroom to spend time, share their interests, join in celebrations and field trips.