Answers Member Profile | Education.com

JustAsk Profile of lofran

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319 Points

I am: Teacher

A few words about me: I believe children are the future, no matter how cliche that sounds. I've spent eight years working in elementary schools, six of which I taught third and fourth grade in inner-city schools. I witnessed so much potential in every child I encountered, but it's something that needs to be nurtured, read more... I believe children are the future, no matter how cliche that sounds. I've spent eight years working in elementary schools, six of which I taught third and fourth grade in inner-city schools. I witnessed so much potential in every child I encountered, but it's something that needs to be nurtured, challenged and guided over the years, by parents and family members, in tandem with education professionals. I found developing respectful relationships with students was the best way to reach them.

Inspired by a teacher I worked with during my student teaching, I realized it was important to recognize what made each individual student tick--where did their natural talents and interests lie and what motivated them. When you know these things, it is a lot easier to reason with them and challenge them, academically and socially.

People would often ask me if I had "favorites" in my classes, but I most often replied, "no." Yes, there were some students who were more needy, immature or self-centered than others, but each and every one of them was an important part of our classroom team or family and had a unique quality to offer and role to play.

Teaching is very challenging as the profession includes a myriad of roles beyond delivering lessons and grading tests and papers. There are so many issues that can become obstacles to a child's ability to learn. This is why school psychologists, counselors, trained paraprofessionals and occupational therapists are crucial to a successful school. An educator on his or her own, cannot do it all alone.

I am not sure what the future holds for education, but I do feel that technology will play a crucial role. There will still be a need for educators, but I think that technology can support educators to better differentiate curriculum to meet the individual needs of each learner and push them at their own developmental pace.

I am happy to be a part of the Education.com team this summer and use this time to ponder the challenges and possible solutions of educating the future citizens of tomorrow. << less

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