Helping Kids Flourish in Kindergarten and Beyond
All About Miss Harrington
At my college graduation party, I was bombarded with friends and family inquiring as to what I wanted to do with my life now that the “hard part” was over. The expected and acceptable answer, of course, was that I wanted to teach; anyone who has been a part of my life for longer than a millisecond can see the deep sense of passion I have for guiding young minds to learn and to discover that there are no boundaries to what they are capable of doing. However, to simply say that I wanted to be a teacher seemed a bit of an understatement. Teachers do so much more than their lesson plans and daily agendas denote; they are motivational leaders, models, caregivers, nurturers, mentors, partners, learners, and friends. In my mind, if I can motivate at least one child to succeed, at least one child to believe in himself, at least one child to reach for the stars, I have done my job.
When the other children spoke of their dreams to grow up and become movie stars, astronauts, musicians, and magicians, I already knew I wanted to be a teacher. As a six year old, I taught my teddy bears and dolls how to read and created an imaginary world of learning in my own bedroom. I have never altered my quick decision to become a teacher; it is my passion, my drive, and my dream.
The only competition with teaching I have ever encountered is my love for dancing. I have been a dancer for over twenty years, starting with ballet and tap classes and gradually moving to jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and world genres. Eventually, my love for dance and my passion for teaching combined. For about seven years, I became a ballet and tap instructor for children ranging in age from three to eleven. When I began my college career, I continued teaching dance classes and expanded my horizons by volunteering in two first grade classrooms throughout one of my semesters as well as becoming the nanny for four children (eighteen month-old twins, a seven year old, and an eleven year old) for about a year and a half. I graduated from San Jose State University in 2007 with a degree in Child Development and began teaching in a preschool soon thereafter. While teaching preschool, I incorporated the music and movement of my former dance classes to the curriculum. I am a firm believer in allowing children to experiment with new learning styles and to discover creative expression through their artistic endeavors. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to adapt the educational setting to fit the learning needs of my students.
I cannot express how excited I am to be a part of our kindergarten class this year. I have no doubts in my mind that it will become a fun, memorable, and wonderful learning experience for everyone. I look forward to working with such an amazing group of young and eager minds. Together, I know we can prepare for a better, brighter future! Best of luck to you all!
At my college graduation party, I was bombarded with friends and family inquiring as to what I wanted to do with my life now that the “hard part” was over. The expected and acceptable answer, of course, was that I wanted to teach; anyone who has been a part of my life for longer than a millisecond can see the deep sense of passion I have for guiding young minds to learn and to discover that there are no boundaries to what they are capable of doing. However, to simply say that I wanted to be a teacher seemed a bit of an understatement. Teachers do so much more than their lesson plans and daily agendas denote; they are motivational leaders, models, caregivers, nurturers, mentors, partners, learners, and friends. In my mind, if I can motivate at least one child to succeed, at least one child to believe in himself, at least one child to reach for the stars, I have done my job.
When the other children spoke of their dreams to grow up and become movie stars, astronauts, musicians, and magicians, I already knew I wanted to be a teacher. As a six year old, I taught my teddy bears and dolls how to read and created an imaginary world of learning in my own bedroom. I have never altered my quick decision to become a teacher; it is my passion, my drive, and my dream.
The only competition with teaching I have ever encountered is my love for dancing. I have been a dancer for over twenty years, starting with ballet and tap classes and gradually moving to jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and world genres. Eventually, my love for dance and my passion for teaching combined. For about seven years, I became a ballet and tap instructor for children ranging in age from three to eleven. When I began my college career, I continued teaching dance classes and expanded my horizons by volunteering in two first grade classrooms throughout one of my semesters as well as becoming the nanny for four children (eighteen month-old twins, a seven year old, and an eleven year old) for about a year and a half. I graduated from San Jose State University in 2007 with a degree in Child Development and began teaching in a preschool soon thereafter. While teaching preschool, I incorporated the music and movement of my former dance classes to the curriculum. I am a firm believer in allowing children to experiment with new learning styles and to discover creative expression through their artistic endeavors. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to adapt the educational setting to fit the learning needs of my students.
I cannot express how excited I am to be a part of our kindergarten class this year. I have no doubts in my mind that it will become a fun, memorable, and wonderful learning experience for everyone. I look forward to working with such an amazing group of young and eager minds. Together, I know we can prepare for a better, brighter future! Best of luck to you all!