How did we get here?

I often consider myself an "accidental educator". I always knew I wanted to work with young children, but I never saw myself going into teaching.  Many years ago, I started college at the University of Minnesota's world-renowned Institute of Child Development, which is consistently rated #1 as the top developmental psychology program in the United States.  The institute has directed policymakers, educators, practitioners, and parents. I was fortunate to have my classes taught by renowned researchers in their field including Dr. Alan Srouf, Dr. Ann Masten, Dr. Byron Egland, and Dr Megan Gunnar.  I vividly remember my very first class that happened to be taught by Dr. Alan Srouf and being swept away in theory and scientific research. 

As I neared graduation, I had the option to add on a semester of student teaching and acquire my kindergarten teaching licensure with my degree. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford a semester of unpaid student teaching and didn't pursue my licensure at that time. Looking back, while not the easiest route to teaching, I appreciate the life experiences I gained down my unintentional journey to teaching.

During college I had many amazing internships with several organizations. I worked with children in a state residential treatment facility, children who had experienced severe trauma that came through the Minneapolis Police Department child abuse unit, and children who were placed by parents in the crisis nursery. But it was when I was a DARE officer teaching full time in the Minneapolis public schools that I realized teaching was where my heart was. 

I was able to use my credentials and teach at a private Christian school in early childhood as well as become the school's director. I continued on my journey and spent the next 12 years teaching in a public Montessori charter school that served early childhood-6th grade. I spent most of my time in Children's House which is a mixed age preschool/kindergarten classroom. Through amazing mentors and professional development, I fell in love with the Montessori philosophy of following the child. It aligned with all that I had learned in developmental psychology. 

My last three years at the Montessori school, I taught special education to kindergarten-6th graders with learning disabilities.  It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with my students, focus on being creative in differentiating my instruction and meet my students where they were at. 

Four years ago, I left the Montessori school to follow my heart and teach kindergarten. The move put me in the public school system for the first time. Everything about it was so different from the Montessori charter school. What was most evident, was the beliefs held by my colleagues about Montessori and charter school education. They was a stigma and unwillingness to consider that there may be pieces of Montessori that could fit into the public-school curriculum. My heart ached knowing that as educators we need to be open minded and continue to look at how to best educate our learners. 

Since starting in the public schools, I have completed my science of reading LETR's training as well as acquired my teaching certification and master's degree in elementary education. I am hoping to use this blog to share my experiences teaching in multiple settings to best meet the needs of all our young learners.