User talk:Kmorr038

All About Be
My name is Kathryn Morris. I am enrolled in the PreK-6 teacher licensure program through ODU at the distance learning site located in Halifax County, Virginia. I have the hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher in the school system in Halifax, my hometown.

I just graduated from Virginia Tech in May of 2008 with my Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development with a concentration in Human Services. The four years I spent at Virginia Tech were truly some of the best years of my life. I must say that I absolutely love being a Hokie! One of my favorite things to do is watch the Virginia Tech football team play in Lane Stadium, and now, as an alumni, I hope to be able to return to Blacksburg for some games this fall. In addition to watching the Hokies play football, I also enjoy all other types of sports. On any given day you can catch me watching football, baseball, basketball, and even Nascar racing.

Throughout college, I worked with children in many different aspects. I have experience working with elementary aged children through substitute teaching in Halifax. I also worked with preschool age children at Virginia Tech by working at the on campus Child Development Center for Learning and Research. Through my experiences, I have come to realize that children are my passion, and I have such a great desire to work with them and begin teaching.

My Teaching Philosophy
I hope to be a teacher that interacts well with students, parents, and coworkers. I picture myself teaching in a very open, welcoming classroom environment. I want my students and their parents to feel welcome once they enter the room. My hopes are that I will be able to maintain an open line of communication between home and school for my students. I will work to do this by communicating with my student’s parents positive and negative behaviors by sending home notes, calling them, and interacting with them in person.

With the new laws put into place by No Child Left Behind requiring inclusion of special education children, I hope to become a teacher who is very knowledgeable about the different types of disabilities so that I will be able to meet those children’s needs to the best of my abilities. I think that by having patience with the students who have special needs, they will have the opportunity to learn just as well as those other students, only at different rates.

I hope to vary my instruction throughout the school day depending on the needs of my students. I feel as if students learn better when they are taught using various strategies and methods. Each student is different, therefore they all learn differently. I hope that by using multiple methods of instruction, that I will be able to connect each student with all of my lessons. I hope that by varying each lesson using lectures, group work, supplemental work, and technological means, that all of my students will be able to grasp each concept in their own way.

In order to assess my student’s progress, I will use tests and quizzes to evaluate them. My hopes are to use tests that are similar to the Virginia Standards of Learning’s tests, in addition to other types. I feel that it is important for children to become familiar with the layout of the SOL’s prior to taking them. By taking tests throughout the school year that are similar to these tests, I don’t think that the children will become as nervous about taking the test when that time comes.

I hope that I will become a great teacher eventually. More important than anything else, I hope that I will be able to treat all of my students fairly, and give each and every one of them the quality education that they deserve.

Amywilliams (talk) 03:42, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

I really loved reading your philosophy on education! Especially the part when you discussed working with kids who had disabilites to make sure they were NOT left behind. My wish is for all teachers to feel that way, don't you? I know I don't want to just teach to the masses, but would like to break students up into groups based on their abilities.

You seem very passionate too about keeping the lines of communication open with parents. When the students see their parents openly and regularly talking with the teacher the students see a team work approach that can only help them. You seem so positive and sure about teaching and it really shows too. Students really need to see just how positive you are and just like you said..testing them and assessing them to make sure they are on track with the VA SOLS. You will do very well in the classroom as your vision is very clear and thought out. Good luck with everything.

Amy B. Williams

Hey! I agree with your thoughts on making parental involvement a key to a student's success. I believe that learning starts at home, and if parents are not active in their child's lives then the child will not succeed in school and later on in life. They need not only support from teachers, but their moms and dads as well. Tgibs007 (talk) 17:49, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Reader Responses "About the Author"
Hey Kathryn,

I really enjoyed reading about you and your educational philosophy. I can tell you will be a good teacher. Your desire to keep parents involve in their children education is a plus. I can see you working very hard trying to find strengths in each student, especially those that need you the most. Other important point that you mention is the ability to work cooperatively with others in your department and faculty to me those are qualities that not many teacher have out there. I really think you are in the right track. Amort007 (talk) 02:33, 2 June 2008 (UTC)