Today my heartfelt thanks go out to the wonderful Miss Carly. Carly is currently completing a teaching internship as a final component of her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education). You can find out more about Carly and her beliefs about and experiences with early education here and here.
What Does Being a Teacher Mean To Me?
This is the question that I am to answer over the next ten weeks {feel free to watch me question myself here on my internship blog}.
It means providing a stimulating, play-based learning environment for children.
It means having the knowledge to understand where a child is at and knowing how to scaffold that learning to bigger opportunities.
It means interacting with families, parents and the community as a voice for the children and for other Early Childhood Educators.
It means the world to me.
Lately, having been on my internship the last week but visiting the school since my last practicum there, I have been hearing:
“Aren’t the new graduates so bouncy and full of energy and passion? Pity that will change.”
And others, that I should not mention.
Yes, I am full of energy and love to be with the children, interacting with them.
Yes, I have passion for my industry.
I don’t see these as bad things. Yes I am sure there will be terrible years. The years when nothing goes right. When I will be pulling my hair out.
But I hope that I never lost the passion. I see some teachers who have. That this is just a job, that earns them money. Not a career.
A lot of people will not agree with me. That is okay, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Like I am too.
Carly writes over at Early Childhood Resources which she started after loving the idea of blogging and knowing that she would be able to keep all her ideas, knowledge and opinions about Early Childhood Education in one place. Carly is currently in her final twelve months of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) through Macquarie University and dreams of owning and directing her own preschool in the future.
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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