Personal Life
I grew up in Palatine, Illinois. I am very family-oriented. I have an older brother who is an environmental scientist at Burns & McDonald. I also have a younger brother who is currently a senior in high school. My parents worked very hard to save up money to send my older brother and I to college. Education is very important to my family. I owe all of my success to my parents. My parents pushed me to be a hard-working, caring individual. My parents truly sculpted me into the person I am today.
I attended Illinois State University and received my bachelor's degree in Special Education Learning and Behavior Specialist 1 with an an endorsement in English Learner. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age. I had a classroom in my basement storage room with a chalkboard, whiteboard, and even a projector screen! Eventually, the classroom in the basement turned into a tutoring room. I tutored the neighborhood children for free.
Why special education? I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I never knew what path of education I wanted to travel. I have twin cousins with Fragile X Syndrome. I spent almost all of my time at family parties with my cousins. At my little brother's first baseball game I met a little boy with autism. The child's brother was on the same travel baseball team as my brother. The little boy with autism gravitated towards me as well as the other way around. I could not wait to go to my brother's baseball team to spend time with the little boy. That is when it all clicked for me. I knew my path was special education. Helping individuals and shaping the future is my passion.
I attended Illinois State University and received my bachelor's degree in Special Education Learning and Behavior Specialist 1 with an an endorsement in English Learner. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age. I had a classroom in my basement storage room with a chalkboard, whiteboard, and even a projector screen! Eventually, the classroom in the basement turned into a tutoring room. I tutored the neighborhood children for free.
Why special education? I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I never knew what path of education I wanted to travel. I have twin cousins with Fragile X Syndrome. I spent almost all of my time at family parties with my cousins. At my little brother's first baseball game I met a little boy with autism. The child's brother was on the same travel baseball team as my brother. The little boy with autism gravitated towards me as well as the other way around. I could not wait to go to my brother's baseball team to spend time with the little boy. That is when it all clicked for me. I knew my path was special education. Helping individuals and shaping the future is my passion.
My Teaching Philosophy
The following quote by Benjamin Franklin rings true to my heart, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." I believe all students with and without disabilities should be involved in their learning. I believe that education is one of the most important tools a person can have in life. I also believe that inclusion of individuals with disabilities is very important for all of the students. All students should learn from each other in the general education classroom while being active and involved in their learning.
Students should be in charge of their learning. Students that are in charge of their learning will be more interested in school. Students who are in charge of their learning will be more prepared for their future as independents. Adults make choices for themselves and others multiple times a day. Students should learn to make choices that benefit themselves. Students will become more motivated to complete school work. Students are able to chose the course load they enjoy. For example, a student can chose an algebra topic and choose the day they would like to learn that particular topic. The student is going to focus because the topic is of interest. Allowing students to have a say in their education creates a positive school environment and a positive relationship between the student and teacher.
I believe all students are individuals and should learn in a way that addresses their needs in the classroom. An individual with a severe learning disability should be in the general education classroom with an aid and adapted materials. For example, the class may be learning about adding and subtracting three-digit numbers. An individual with a severe disability can add each number using manipulatives such as counters to add each number. I believe inclusion is important for individuals with and without disabilities. Everyone benefits from learning in the same environment. Students without disabilities can develop a positive understanding about students with disabilities. When students with disabilities are secluded from the general education classroom students without disabilities do not learn to appreciate diversity.
Students should be in charge of their learning. Students that are in charge of their learning will be more interested in school. Students who are in charge of their learning will be more prepared for their future as independents. Adults make choices for themselves and others multiple times a day. Students should learn to make choices that benefit themselves. Students will become more motivated to complete school work. Students are able to chose the course load they enjoy. For example, a student can chose an algebra topic and choose the day they would like to learn that particular topic. The student is going to focus because the topic is of interest. Allowing students to have a say in their education creates a positive school environment and a positive relationship between the student and teacher.
I believe all students are individuals and should learn in a way that addresses their needs in the classroom. An individual with a severe learning disability should be in the general education classroom with an aid and adapted materials. For example, the class may be learning about adding and subtracting three-digit numbers. An individual with a severe disability can add each number using manipulatives such as counters to add each number. I believe inclusion is important for individuals with and without disabilities. Everyone benefits from learning in the same environment. Students without disabilities can develop a positive understanding about students with disabilities. When students with disabilities are secluded from the general education classroom students without disabilities do not learn to appreciate diversity.
Teaching Goals
1. Develop Rapport between my students, parents, and myself.
I plan on getting to know my students and their parents/guardians so we can work together to make your child successful in the classroom.
2. Inspire my students to love education.
Education in a necessary tool to be successful in the world today. I want my students to love education as much as I love education. I want my students to see education as a tool in their life. Students need to know they are learning in order to better the world they live in.
3. Be a role model for my students.
Students need a role model at home and at school. I want my students to feel comfortable enough to come to me for help and advice. I will be a mentor for my students!
4. I will continue to learn for my students.
Teaching is one of those careers where you learn something new everyday. I plan on educating myself and keeping up to date in order to continue to develop my teaching skills. I will always keep my students in my best interest. One of the reasons I became a teacher is to inspire and educate young minds to better themselves and the world we live in.
Resume
|
![]()
|