Professional Development Statement

Professional Development has always been important to me as an educator.  Not only does it help me to be a better informed educator in terms of trends and best practices in education, but it demonstrates to my students that lifelong learning is important to me.  My professional development has taken various forms over the years.  Often, I have taken part in professional development after the school day ends, whether it is an after-school workshop or part of a dinner meeting for Phi Delta Kappa.  I have taken courses during the summer when I have found courses that fit the needs of my students and my interests.  One example is spending four weeks as a fellow of the Western New York Writing Project in 2005.  One critical component of that fellowship was being a part of educators that wanted to learn together and share information.  We were able to collaborate on various projects, including a blog, and helped each other to create workshops about ways we were teaching our students.  I feel that professional development should be never-ending, so I am in search of professional development where ever I can find it - whether that is webinars, collaborating with others on projects, and so on. 

I have been fortunate that I have been able to provide professional development workshops as well. For example, I presented at Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society for Education's Convocation in Orlando, Florida in 2001.  I have presented locally to colleagues as well as part of Quality Schools, a before-school professional development group at Anthony J. Schmidt Elementary School.  I was a lead presenter to colleagues when scoring Grade 3 and Grade 5 Assessments at Brocton Elementary School. 

I hope to continue to receive and give professional development throughout my teaching career.  Collaborating and sharing ideas with colleagues is one way we can make education better for our students, especially in changing times of Core Curriculum.  My hope is to one day attain National Board Certification, the ultimate professional development.

International Student Teaching Experience - Exmouth, England

Following my graduation from SUNY Fredonia, I was able to participate in the International Student Teaching Program.  During this experience, I observed and assisted in classrooms in the United Kingdom.  I was also able to travel as part of this experience.   Upon returning to the United States, I compared the British and American educational systems.

Experience At Ithaca High School/Future Teachers' Scholarship

I had amazing teachers through the public school system.  I had many caring, creative, motivating teachers that inspired me to become a teacher myself. 

While still enrolled high school, I was able to enroll in a course that allowed me to teach lessons to the in-school preschool.  It was called Tots n' Teens Preschool, and during the semesters I was involved, I planned and taught short lessons, prepared snacks according to dietary guidelines, and learned skills in the teaching profession.  This role confirmed to me that I wanted to be a teacher in a public school.

At the Senior Convocation, I was awarded the Future Teachers' Scholarship from the Ithaca Teachers' Association. 

Fredonia Head Start

One of my first Early Childhood Field Experiences through SUNY Fredonia's education program was to work at the Fredonia Head Start Program with preschoolers.  I was able to observe the students, as well as to participate with them in their daily activities, including breakfast, playtime and structured activities.  I received this note from the teachers in the toddler room on the last day of my experience.

Academics at SUNY Fredonia - Undergraduate

I was a strong student during my undergraduate time at SUNY Fredonia.  As a result, I ended up on the Dean's List seven of the eight semesters I was enrolled.

It was important for me intrinsically to do well.  I like to bring some of the motivation that I have had as a student (and continue to have as a life-long learner) to the students that I teach.

Ithaca Community Childcare Center

Before I began my early field experiences at SUNY Fredonia, I was fortunate to be able to substitute teach at Ithaca Community Childcare Center.  I gained experience through the various programs that the center runs, including infant care through school-age after school care.  I was appointed one summer to be a long-term substitute in a toddler classroom, where I got to know the children, their families and my co-workers extremely well.  An important aspect of teaching at this level was documenting and communicating with family members at the end of the day.  I developed strong, working relationships with my co-workers, as evidenced by the card that many of the teachers at the center signed when I left to pursue my Master's Degree. 

Certifications