The poem is excellent and so very true of early childhood education. I taught in Title I schools for economically disadvantaged children during my entire public school career. My last three elementary schools were in particularly high crime areas. The schools were most likely the safest place that they had ever been…and the place that they loved the most. The majority of the parents were very young and I felt like I was also teaching them along with the children. These bilingual children were bright, joyful and curious. The key is to keep this momentum going through elementary school…with the children and the parents. This is why it is imperative for the Leadership Team at such schools to encourage strong collaboration between every grade level. So critical! Truly…my career has been an honor and a blessing!
Yes, you’re making a difference in many kids lives. The number of years x number of kids in your classes! That’s many lives gong through your hands!! I was in education for about 30 years. A few years in preschool, then started public school and in the classroom for about 15 years, and school district office for about 10. Working in the Bilingual and Title I office, plus working with parents, teacher training… I’m retired in 2010. Could have gone on for a couple more years but I had cancer in 2008, went back to work for one more year to get the most out of my retirement. Had no energy to go on any longer. I had students from kindergarten class, eventually graduated from college, and brought me gifts. I consider my career as a blessing also!!
What a wonderful career! I taught 18 years in public school and 10 years in our church day school plus 4 more in a similar church day school. My first career was at newspapers since I earned a BA in Journalism…7 years at that until we married and our children came along. I was in editorial and then retail advertising…very fun, but such long hours. After I received my master’s, I became a Reading First Literacy Coach and did teacher training and other workshops. I just retired in June, 2016. My husband is retiring close to the beginning of March and we want to travel and spend more time at his family farm. At first, I intended to work in education for another four or five years! I miss the children and teachers so very much. I have kept up with many of my students…so exciting. I have one kindergarten student who is now in his second year at Colorado State with a full football scholarship and high academics. I talk with his mother quite a lot and she has graduated from college and is working on a master’s degree. Their success after a very difficult beginning has been such a joy to me!
I think we can serve in a different capacity after retirement. Spending time with your husband is also important. My husband was retired several months ago. We would like to visit our daughter and her husband more often. We have a trip coming up in March to see them in Portland, Oregon. We also want to take short trips within the State.
Well said, Miriam. Much damage is done when the environment does not feel safe and supportive–then God has to spend decades trying to fix and heal little hearts in big people…
Yes, when I did my counseling internship 37 years ago, I had a part time job teaching preschool. One kid (4 years old) from Vietnam spoke French, Vietnamese, Chinese, learning English, picked up Spanish by playing with other kids.If she coutinued, she could speak all those languages without accents.
That’s a great example! I see giant leaps of progress in young children during the short time they are with me at preschool. I didn’t start out as an early years teacher but I’m sure happy that’s where I am now.
That’s a privilege and rewarding to teach kids of that age. When my daughter was that age. She was so eager to learn. I gave her a book with certain number of voc. She only missed one word. She wanted to start from the beginning and read through the whole book without missing. By the 4th time, she read through!!!
Good thing we were on a camping trip, I was not busy and could pay all of my attention to her. I was thrilled that she didn’t want any hint from me, just wanted to figure it out by sounding out the word!! Eventually when she was 6, when she was tested, her sounding out words was equivalent to 9.6 years old. she may not understand the meanings though!
Curiosity is a trait that can lead to many roads of development. In Asia, for far too long it has been focused on rote learning. Part of that stem from a historical base (ie the imperial exams in China for example), but also because learning that seem to be ‘scorable’ helps distinguish the “smarter” ones. But that is only one form of intelligence. The infographic you shared is fabulous and parents should really look at it thoroughly. Afterall every industry can produce ‘scholars’.
I think you’re right. I worked with parents. They just said, my kids are not going to college. We tried so hard to teach the parents to encourage their kids to do well, and not worry about how to pay for it, and that if their kid do well, they could get scholarships…
I said to a colleague that if the parents teach their kids, I didn’t have to be a teacher plus being parents of 20-30 kids. Yes teach the parents also.
The poem is excellent and so very true of early childhood education. I taught in Title I schools for economically disadvantaged children during my entire public school career. My last three elementary schools were in particularly high crime areas. The schools were most likely the safest place that they had ever been…and the place that they loved the most. The majority of the parents were very young and I felt like I was also teaching them along with the children. These bilingual children were bright, joyful and curious. The key is to keep this momentum going through elementary school…with the children and the parents. This is why it is imperative for the Leadership Team at such schools to encourage strong collaboration between every grade level. So critical! Truly…my career has been an honor and a blessing!
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Yes, you’re making a difference in many kids lives. The number of years x number of kids in your classes! That’s many lives gong through your hands!! I was in education for about 30 years. A few years in preschool, then started public school and in the classroom for about 15 years, and school district office for about 10. Working in the Bilingual and Title I office, plus working with parents, teacher training… I’m retired in 2010. Could have gone on for a couple more years but I had cancer in 2008, went back to work for one more year to get the most out of my retirement. Had no energy to go on any longer. I had students from kindergarten class, eventually graduated from college, and brought me gifts. I consider my career as a blessing also!!
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What a wonderful career! I taught 18 years in public school and 10 years in our church day school plus 4 more in a similar church day school. My first career was at newspapers since I earned a BA in Journalism…7 years at that until we married and our children came along. I was in editorial and then retail advertising…very fun, but such long hours. After I received my master’s, I became a Reading First Literacy Coach and did teacher training and other workshops. I just retired in June, 2016. My husband is retiring close to the beginning of March and we want to travel and spend more time at his family farm. At first, I intended to work in education for another four or five years! I miss the children and teachers so very much. I have kept up with many of my students…so exciting. I have one kindergarten student who is now in his second year at Colorado State with a full football scholarship and high academics. I talk with his mother quite a lot and she has graduated from college and is working on a master’s degree. Their success after a very difficult beginning has been such a joy to me!
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I think we can serve in a different capacity after retirement. Spending time with your husband is also important. My husband was retired several months ago. We would like to visit our daughter and her husband more often. We have a trip coming up in March to see them in Portland, Oregon. We also want to take short trips within the State.
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Useful post mam, thanks for sharing
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Yes, good info. Thank you for reading!
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Beautiful, Miriam ❤ Love and Light to all of the world's children. You are such a love!
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I am sad that we have to depend on doctors, nurses, engineers…from other countries. We are not doing very well to help educate our kids!
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Well said, Miriam. Much damage is done when the environment does not feel safe and supportive–then God has to spend decades trying to fix and heal little hearts in big people…
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Yes, like my ex, a six year-old in a 60 some body… still has problems of a 6 y.o.
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Wow.
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The early years are key!
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Yes, when I did my counseling internship 37 years ago, I had a part time job teaching preschool. One kid (4 years old) from Vietnam spoke French, Vietnamese, Chinese, learning English, picked up Spanish by playing with other kids.If she coutinued, she could speak all those languages without accents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great example! I see giant leaps of progress in young children during the short time they are with me at preschool. I didn’t start out as an early years teacher but I’m sure happy that’s where I am now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a privilege and rewarding to teach kids of that age. When my daughter was that age. She was so eager to learn. I gave her a book with certain number of voc. She only missed one word. She wanted to start from the beginning and read through the whole book without missing. By the 4th time, she read through!!!
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That’s so neat! I love it when kids are keen to learn how to read.
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Good thing we were on a camping trip, I was not busy and could pay all of my attention to her. I was thrilled that she didn’t want any hint from me, just wanted to figure it out by sounding out the word!! Eventually when she was 6, when she was tested, her sounding out words was equivalent to 9.6 years old. she may not understand the meanings though!
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Great one and informative too!
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Something I learned 40 years ago. I was glad to find some attractive graphics.
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I wonder if i Spend enough time teaching my children.
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How old are you children?
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Curiosity is a trait that can lead to many roads of development. In Asia, for far too long it has been focused on rote learning. Part of that stem from a historical base (ie the imperial exams in China for example), but also because learning that seem to be ‘scorable’ helps distinguish the “smarter” ones. But that is only one form of intelligence. The infographic you shared is fabulous and parents should really look at it thoroughly. Afterall every industry can produce ‘scholars’.
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You’re right!
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So true…great post!
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Thank you. I worked in education for 30 years, but I don’t want to come out like preaching!
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Sometimes we must preach.
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I think you’re right. I worked with parents. They just said, my kids are not going to college. We tried so hard to teach the parents to encourage their kids to do well, and not worry about how to pay for it, and that if their kid do well, they could get scholarships…
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We don’t just teach kids; we teach their parents and others in the community. Imagine the ripple effect. 🙂
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I said to a colleague that if the parents teach their kids, I didn’t have to be a teacher plus being parents of 20-30 kids. Yes teach the parents also.
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