Employed at Door of Hope Freedom Center (a diverse child care facility): May 2016 - September 2016; May 2017-September 2017
During the summer of 2016 and 2017, I had the opportunity to work as a child care assistant at Door of Hope Freedom Center here in Bismarck. This childcare program is passionate about serving the diverse needs of children of local Bismarck/Mandan residences who come from various backgrounds and experiences. One little boy who attended this childcare center touched my heart and has greatly inspired me from this day forward. This little boy had Autism, but I quickly realized his personality out shined his disability. Despite, at times his defiance and negative choices, he always had a positive spirit. I enjoyed celebrating his positive spirit, and by sharing with him how I valued him, his behavior towards me and other children improved dramatically. This little boy showed me how important it is as an educator to value and appreciate the whole child and to celebrate every child’s greatness. As an educator, it is my passion and desire to teach each of my students with the mindset that all of them are valuable and integral parts of the learning community. By embracing and valuing the unique qualities of all the children in my classroom, they will believe they can reach their fullest potential.
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Volunteered at Jeannette Myhre (a diverse at risk school) Recess Team: Spring 2018
Throughout the spring of 2018, I volunteered at Jeannette Myhre Elementary school during recess team. Recess team is a program Tiffany Perrin, a behavior strategist, heads at Myhre Elementary with the purpose of teaching children how to play and act appropriately during unstructured parts of the school day such as lunch and recess. Many of the negative behaviors that have been exhibited by children at Myhre happen during these unstructured times. With the explicit instruction from Tiffany and individuals like myself who volunteer during this time, the goal of recess team is to reduce the frequency and amount of the negative behaviors that are being exhibited.
Myhre Elementary School serves children who predominantly come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Many of these children have experienced trauma in some way. Tiffany is passionate about serving these children as she realizes these students need someone in their life that can provide them with unconditional love and acceptance. Tiffany recognizes the need is great in this school, yet this drives her even more to foster positive relationships with each of the children as she recognizes that these positive relationships can have an overall impact on the children’s self-esteem and self-worth. By building the self-esteem and self-worth in these children, a powerful influence will be made on these children’s future pursuits.
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Recess team not only provided students with the opportunity to practice how to play appropriately with their friends, but it also provided me with an incredible opportunity to make powerful connections with children. The negative behaviors that are being exhibited by children at Myhre are an outward expression of an inner and deeper need in these children. As I had the opportunity to personally connect with these students, I began to see their longing to feel loved, accepted, and belonged, which was something I was able to give a small amount of even only for one hour a day. My personal investment in these children may have had a small impact on them; however, I know it is one way they can be powerfully influenced and inspired to be respectful citizens of the overall community.
· Participated in Panama City Beach Cru Ministry Outreach: March 2016
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· Volunteered at Carrie's Kids: April 2016
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