Within the content of this portfolio, you will find a collection of essays, teaching guides, and reflections on my teaching experience that represent my knowledge and opinions in the fields of elementary education, special education, and K-12 instructional technologies. Though many grades levels and subjects are included here, there is a heavy focus on the early elementary years and language arts development.
With each passing year, language arts have allowed mankind to thrive and to reach greater levels of knowledge and productivity. You often here mathematicians and scientists credited with such accomplishments, but what if those innovators could not read? What if they could not write or otherwise clearly communicate their ideas? How could they promote their ideas or share their advancements with others? No matter what specialty one excels in, a proficiency in language arts will further cultivate skills and talents, yielding greater success.
With each passing year, language arts have allowed mankind to thrive and to reach greater levels of knowledge and productivity. You often here mathematicians and scientists credited with such accomplishments, but what if those innovators could not read? What if they could not write or otherwise clearly communicate their ideas? How could they promote their ideas or share their advancements with others? No matter what specialty one excels in, a proficiency in language arts will further cultivate skills and talents, yielding greater success.
Teaching language arts skills to children includes all skills related to communication including reading, comprehension, writing, spelling, speaking and dramatic expression. This can at times be an overwhelming task, particularly because children are unique individuals, with diverse needs and abilities. Just as a flower requires a balance of sunlight, water, and the proper soil conditions, children too need the right environment in order to fully develop their language arts abilities, and some will need more nurturing than others.
Every child is different, but with a little effort we can inspire them to learn and their language arts skills blossom. As we watch them grow and encourage each new skill to come to full bloom, we are rooting a firmer foundation of all future learning experiences., taking part in making all other interests and talents they pursue a success.
As you explore this portfolio, know that I too am learning along the way. I am a teacher, but also a student, learning from each child I have an opportunity to work with, and from others who are also striving to teach the future generations. Learning in a continuous journey, one I am quite certain has no end.
