Assignment task: Respond to at least three of your classmates' introductions. In your responses, try to make a personal connection with something your peers shared. A Minimum of 200 Words
Discussion 1 (Jessica)
My name is Jessica and I live in Michigan in the "thumb" area of my "mitten" state! I love how the environment changes with the seasons. I was born and raised here so each season I get to experience these changes and always have. I absolutely love celebrating and decorating for holidays and I have passed this down to my children as my mom did with me! Sometimes it's hard and scary when it snows a lot, but snow days are the best! There is nothing like waking up to the news that we get to stay home and be warm and cozy on a snow day. Being a teacher is like being a kid again when I wake up to that call!
I have been involved in many family partnerships since becoming a teacher. One that is very significant to me is the relationship I made last year with a student and family when I was a Lead Preschool Teacher with Head Start. I had a student who was experiencing a huge change in their life with parents separating. This student was the youngest in his family and this was his first year attending school. When I got him, he was confused, angry, scared, and had a difficult time self-regulating and handling the big feelings he was experiencing. Very quickly he took me to find comfort in my support. We were able to work with the family to give him the tools and strategies to connect at school and home to help him through these difficult times. Within a few months, he was like a different child. I grew to build a close relationship with his mom, Grandma, and sisters. We looked forward to conferences and home visits for the opportunity to catch up. Towards the end of the school year, I was rubbing his back as he was relaxing at nap time, and I said to him, "gosh I am going to miss you so much next year when you go to Kindergarten." It was during the week where we were planning to walk over to the "big school" to meet the kindergarten teachers, so it was fresh in my mind. When I said that, he flipped over and with a worried look said, "I don't want to leave you, am I going tomorrow?" And I realized I shouldn't have said this and caused worry in him. So this began the months long transition between the family and myself for him to move onto Kindergarten and feel ready and safe to. Over the Summer I accepted a job as a First Grade Teacher in the same school district. He moved to this building, as a Y-5 student, and I get to see him every day. My family and I were invited to his birthday party and attended. While there his grandma told me how he talks about me almost daily, and that he adores me. Holding this kind of influence and meaning to a little person is an honor. The work we do makes a difference, and it is lasting. I look forward to having him again as a student when he comes to First Grade.
Respond to at least three of your classmates' introductions. In your responses, try to make a personal connection with something your peers shared. A MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS
DISCUSSION 2 (Trisha)
My name is Trisha , and I live in the beautiful, wild state of Alaska, specifically in Wasilla.
One thing I absolutely love about living here is the outdoors-Alaska offers endless adventures, and I never get tired of the breathtaking views, from the mountains to the glaciers. Although the winters are long and can get intense, I find peace and beauty in the snow and stillness. But I'll admit, my true happy place is Disneyland! We just got back from a sunny week there, and now it's 30 degrees and snowy here, so I'm already missing the warmth! I have three teenage boys and a 7-year-old girl who also help me young and active.
One of the most rewarding (and challenging!) parts of my role as a Head Start teacher is building relationships with families. In our program, we work closely with families to support children, especially with resources and guidance to ensure each child feels connected and secure. My favorite part is developing relationships where families feel safe to reach out whenever they need support or resources for their little ones. I find that strong connections can make a huge difference in a child's experience and growth.
After reading the Course Learning Outcomes, I'm most excited to dive deeper into effective ways to build partnerships that genuinely respect each family's uniqueness. Since building family relationships can be challenging at times, I'm looking forward to picking up new techniques to help strengthen these connections. And to be honest, some topics around building community partnerships are a bit new to me, so I'm eager to expand my understanding in that area!
Looking forward to connecting with all of you and learning together. And if any of you are joining the Early Childhood Education Club, let's keep in touch there too!
Respond to at least three of your classmates' introductions. In your responses, try to make a personal connection with something your peers shared. A MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS
DISCUSSION 3 (Clara)
Hello, everyone. My name is Clara. I live in Kentwood, Louisiana, which is the hometown of Brittney Spears. One thing I really enjoy is the amazing food and culture here. Foods like gumbo and crawfish are delicious and show the unique Cajun and Creole traditions. The music and celebrations, like Mardi Gras and Bayou Classic make living here a fun experience.
A positive example of a community partnership I've been involved in is the open house for teachers at our school. This event brings together teachers, families, and community members to build relationships and support student learning. During open house, I am able to show my classrooms and explain what students will be learning. Parents get to meet me, ask questions, and learn about the school's programs. This open communication helps everyone work together for the kids. Open house often features activities for students and we display art they previous done in class, showcasing their hard work. Local businesses help by providing treat bags for our class. Overall, the open house creates a friendly environment that encourages families to get involved, benefiting the whole community
I'm most excited about learning how home and community partnerships can help support early childhood education. This topic is interesting because it shows how important families and communities are in a child's learning. I look forward to discovering practical ways to involve families in their children's education and how community resources can enhance what children learn. Strong partnerships can make a big difference in children's success by creating a support system around them. I might not know much about specific ways to build these partnerships or how to measure their effects on learning. Learning about successful examples and best practices in this area will be very helpful as I work to connect schools with the communities they serve.