I was born and raised in Albert Lea, MN. Being the oldest in my family, with one younger sister, gave me the opportunity to learn many leadership skills. My sister and I grew up playing school for hours, so I always knew a career in teaching was inevitable. My leadership skills provided me the opportunity to coach figure skating in the Park and Rec Program, and assist in the YMCA, SACC program.
After graduating high school, I attended Rochester Community and Technical College. While attending college, I worked at Kids Come First Daycare Center as a lead teacher. I was also a Sunday School teacher at our church in Byron. There, I taught Sunday School lessons to pre-school and kindergarten students.
I soon married, had 3 children and started my own in-home family daycare business to be more available for my family. As my 3 kids began their educational journeys in school, I volunteered in their classrooms. Eventually, I became a full-time employee as a paraprofessional in the Byron School District. Working at the elementary school fueled my passion for teaching. Now, as I further my own education, I am very enthusiastic about my future as a teacher!
Just as I love working with kids, I love spending time with my husband and our children. Playing outside, fishing, volleyball and four-wheeling are a few activities that we enjoying doing together. I also enjoy running, cooking, cleaning, knitting, and sewing. Weekends almost always include hosting family dinners, neighborhood bon fires and fun, new adventures. Spending time with family and great friends keeps us busy!
During my clinical hours within the Rochester District, I have learned so many things that I will apply to my own experiences in the classroom. I have had the opportunity to be in grades Kindergarten through third grade. Professional development trainings, classroom management, the importance of background knowledge, and the consistent practice of assessments are just a few things that I deem important in my teaching career. Continuous education is dire to the success of students and staff. Through the continuation in technological developments to the methods and strategies of teaching, there is always room to grow professionally and personally.
Classroom management is another important skill that uses multiple strategies in order to have a fun and safe classroom. I’ve noticed each classroom inside each school building has a sense of community that maintains safety and respect, encourages student growth and promotes student achievement. When behaviors occur while teaching, effective strategies that I’ve seen include standing by the student, pausing for a brief second using eye contact, and allowing for more classroom interaction and less lecture time. The best practice I will use in my classroom is positive reinforcement. Having a reward system, while being consistent and fair with age-appropriate consequences has positive results and fuels positive behavior.
The reason for choosing this profession over anything else is to make a difference in a child’s life: to bridge the gap from insecurity to confidence, disappointment to success, and promote a growth mindset in student learning. As a future teacher, I find it important to give every student the opportunity to learn within their zone of proximal development, to build self-assurance and provide a respectful, productive, safe and fun learning environment. My goal is for them to love learning just as much as I do.
After graduating high school, I attended Rochester Community and Technical College. While attending college, I worked at Kids Come First Daycare Center as a lead teacher. I was also a Sunday School teacher at our church in Byron. There, I taught Sunday School lessons to pre-school and kindergarten students.
I soon married, had 3 children and started my own in-home family daycare business to be more available for my family. As my 3 kids began their educational journeys in school, I volunteered in their classrooms. Eventually, I became a full-time employee as a paraprofessional in the Byron School District. Working at the elementary school fueled my passion for teaching. Now, as I further my own education, I am very enthusiastic about my future as a teacher!
Just as I love working with kids, I love spending time with my husband and our children. Playing outside, fishing, volleyball and four-wheeling are a few activities that we enjoying doing together. I also enjoy running, cooking, cleaning, knitting, and sewing. Weekends almost always include hosting family dinners, neighborhood bon fires and fun, new adventures. Spending time with family and great friends keeps us busy!
During my clinical hours within the Rochester District, I have learned so many things that I will apply to my own experiences in the classroom. I have had the opportunity to be in grades Kindergarten through third grade. Professional development trainings, classroom management, the importance of background knowledge, and the consistent practice of assessments are just a few things that I deem important in my teaching career. Continuous education is dire to the success of students and staff. Through the continuation in technological developments to the methods and strategies of teaching, there is always room to grow professionally and personally.
Classroom management is another important skill that uses multiple strategies in order to have a fun and safe classroom. I’ve noticed each classroom inside each school building has a sense of community that maintains safety and respect, encourages student growth and promotes student achievement. When behaviors occur while teaching, effective strategies that I’ve seen include standing by the student, pausing for a brief second using eye contact, and allowing for more classroom interaction and less lecture time. The best practice I will use in my classroom is positive reinforcement. Having a reward system, while being consistent and fair with age-appropriate consequences has positive results and fuels positive behavior.
The reason for choosing this profession over anything else is to make a difference in a child’s life: to bridge the gap from insecurity to confidence, disappointment to success, and promote a growth mindset in student learning. As a future teacher, I find it important to give every student the opportunity to learn within their zone of proximal development, to build self-assurance and provide a respectful, productive, safe and fun learning environment. My goal is for them to love learning just as much as I do.