Eric Kenyon

I have a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Niagara University. I am currently a 3^rd grade teacher in the Niagara Falls City School District. I enjoy working with children of all ages and abilities.

Prior to pursuing a degree in education, I was a marketing professional — creating effective written and visual communications. It was here that I realized my passion for developing straightforward educational content. Additionally, taking my daughter to preschool and observing her teachers with the students further inspired my drive and passion to become an educator. 

I have chosen teaching as my profession because I want to effect change in my community and make a positive impact in young people’s lives. It’s easy to become frustrated or lose hope when you don’t have the support you need. I know from experience that no matter your learning style, if the appropriate educational goals are established, all children can meet them. 

I believe the overall purpose of education is to facilitate change and advance society. I believe it is an educator’s responsibility to have high expectations for their students and to encourage them to grow; to develop; to persist; and to foster good citizenship. I think it is important for a teacher to lead by example. I realize that I am a role model in the eyes of my students. I think it is important for my students to see that I am a human being and that I am not perfect. Though, I want them to see that through learning and practice, we can all be successful and affect change. We can improve ourselves; the class; and the community.

I am influenced by psychologists, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Howard Gardner. Piaget’s cognitive development theory suggests that people develop from infancy to adulthood in four stages of cognition. Piaget’s theory will support me in considering developmentally appropriate curriculum and practices for teaching and understanding the cognitive developmental stages in relation to the environment. Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development concept suggests that people can advance their knowledge and skills through observing someone who is slightly more capable than they are in order to extend their capabilities. I can use this concept to assess students to determine their current skill level and offer instruction that extends past the limit of each student’s capabilities. Once I know the students’ capabilities, I can plan, organize, and vary my instruction into specific groups; give hints; or provide scaffolding to move a student towards an achievable goal (Woolfolk, 2019).

I want to provide a positive, friendly, and supportive learning environment where students can feel welcome, comfortable, and safe. It matters to me that my students know that I care and believe in them. I won’t get frustrated with them when they don’t understand. Instead, I will pivot and use alternate teaching methods in order to accommodate different learning styles. I believe that children learn at different rates and in different ways. Howard Gardner’s, theory of multiple intelligences, suggests that people have multiple ways of processing information. Some learners are more bodily-kinesthetic while others may have more verbal or visual needs (Woolfolk, 2019). In order to keep my students engaged and to accommodate different learning styles, I will incorporate the use of pictures, illustrations, poems, rhymes, music, videos, technology, objects, group work, craft projects, experiments, class and group discussions, games, and even humor. I want to make learning fun and engaging.

Classroom communities should be student-centered. Students should be responsible for creating the classroom procedures and also have some involvement in the creation of classroom rules. I will teach my students independence, responsibility, time-management, and organization. I will take the time to connect with every student on a personal level and let them know that I care about them. I will hold all of my students to high standards to help ensure they reach their greatest potential. I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, and high expectations to my classroom every day. I believe that I owe it to my students and our community to bring consistency, diligence, and warmth to my role as an educator. It is my hope that I might inspire and encourage these traits in my students as well.

I will periodically ask myself questions and reflect on my student-teacher relationship(s). Asking and reflecting will help me develop a plan of action and build stronger relationships with my students. Because I will be talking with my students regularly each day, I will learn what they are in to and be able to tailor my lessons based on their interests. I will not be afraid to ask for feedback regarding my teaching methods either. I will continuously measure the results. I will always strive to express my dedication to student success and convey my passion for learning. In order to ensure my students are intrinsically motivated, life-long learners, I will need to lead by example and continuously learn and improve.

Reference:
Woolfolk, A. E. (2019). Educational Psychology (14th ed.). Pearson.