Myna Mehere

Autobiography and Philosophy

Children need models more than critics. This statement was made by Joseph Joubert, a French
Essayist during the 19
th
century, and I feel that it represents much of what I believe, in regard to my role
as an educator. Furthermore, the beliefs that I have established throughout my undergraduate career
have been derived from many experiences along the way. Therefore, this brief analysis will provide
those who read it with a sense of who I am, both as an individual and as an educator, as it relates to
where I have been and where I would like to go in the future.
I have had numerous opportunities to embark upon my aspiration to be a teacher since I began
my undergraduate career in the fall of 1999. I was employed by Adventure Club that year, where I got
to spend some time at Parkade Elementary School. I have spent time, through various field experiences
in Derby Ridge Elementary, as well as Benton Elementary, both in the Columbia School District. In
addition to this Elementary field experience, I have spent time in Early Childhood Centers such as
Walnut Creek Day School and the Child Development Lab on the University campus. I was also
employed by Childrens World Learning Center, where I taught in the one-year-old classroom. In
addition to my field placements, I have volunteered at the Special Olympics for two years in my
hometown. Each of these sites played a role in who I am today, and I am grateful to have been given the
opportunity to learn from the experiences that they had to offer.
In connection with these attempts to be a better teacher, I have also proven to be a well-rounded,
hard-working student. I was involved in SMSTA, and served as the Publicity Director for this
association for one year. I am also a member of the Honors College through the University. Honors
that I have received include being inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, the National Society for Collegiate
Scholars, and Golden Key National Honor Society (as of April 14
th
). Each of these organizations have
given me great pride and confidence in myself, as well as the profession that I have chosen to pursue.
In approaching the formidable task of teaching, I have found that there are numerous concepts to
consider. I believe, after looking at each of these concepts through my course work, that much of what
we do as educators is decided on a student-to-student basis. Every child possesses individual needs,
many of which differ from the student sitting next to them, and it is my job to meet those needs.
Through my curriculum, I will strive to represent each of my students and their individual needs. In
order to accomplish this, I will have to consider many factors, such as the diversity among my students,
special needs considerations, and the proper assessment strategies to use in different situations. All in
all, it is my job to ensure that each student is learning.
I am aware that learning should be on a developmental basis, rather than by the age of the child.
I am also aware that for optimal learning to occur in my classroom, I must set high expectations for my
students. Only then will they realize their full potential, and the respect that I have for them. I also feel
that parents have an enormous role in helping to better a childs education. I see the parents as the
centrifugal force behind what I am trying to accomplish as a teacher, and will therefore support an open-
door policy where we can regularly exchange ideas. This type of communication, along with a
professional relationship held with my co-educators, establishes a positive atmosphere that is conducive
to learning. This environment is created by the entire school, staff and students, to promote pride,
diversity, and also a sense of unity in that everyone is there for a common goal: knowledge.
All of these summative views directly correlate with the quote that I began with, Children need
models more than critics. I see my role in the classroom as being a model that guides students, rather
than a critic. It is my belief that children are innately drawn to learning, and that this trait will
eventually bloom into a plethora of knowledge for them, given the proper guidance along the way. I
also believe that we should embrace and foster their curiosity while they are young. Many people ask
me why I have chosen Early Childhood, and I leave you with my answer: Early Childhood teaches the
basic skills that every individual uses throughout their life, and I find it exciting to have the opportunity
to introduce these children to the world, for it is they who will someday be governing it.