My Story…
Hi! My name is Lauren. I am currently a student in the ACT
program at CSUN. I am studying to earn a Teaching Credential in Special
Education. I was born in Los Angeles and attended Oakwood High School
in North Hollywood. I then continued on my educational path to the
University of Michigan where I received a BA degree in Psychology.
Since graduating, I pursued a career in the fashion industry. Although
I had always believed that I was meant to work in this industry, I
quickly realized that passion for and love of fashion was more of a
hobby and interest than a dream job.
As fate would have it, the day that I moved home from New
York, I ran into the Director of Admissions from my high school. I had
been actively involved in the admissions committee and therefore
developed a close relationship with her. After quickly debriefing her
on the recent change in my life, she told me that she had always
thought that I would make a wonderful teacher. I had never considered
becoming a teacher, but seeing as I had no idea as to my next step in
life, I agreed to meet with her friend, an elementary school principal.
The interview went well and I was offered an assistant teaching
position in the 2nd grade. I immediately fell in love with the
profession. I loved working with the children and was fortunate to have
incredible and inspiring colleagues. I worked for two years at
Brawerman Elementary School, a private Jewish day school on the Los
Angeles’ Westside. I then decided, with an encouraging nudge from the
administrators, to return to school to get a teaching credential so
that I could have my own classroom. So here I am…
My Goal…
I am particularly interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in
special education; having this background is invaluable, regardless of
where I end up teaching. Not all schools may have the available
resources to get personal instruction for students who need it; nor may
all schools educate the teachers about various teaching techniques and
learning disabilities. I think a teacher with students of all levels
and capabilities should have the knowledge to analyze what is going on
in her classroom. I want to learn how to appropriately teach all of the
different academic levels of the students in the classroom. It is
important to me that I modify or accommodate the assignments to suit
the various levels.
Every child learns in his individual way; it is important to
acknowledge this fact as an educator. Some of the students who seem to
be struggling may possibly have a more effective means of learning than
the way in which the lesson is being taught. My main goal is to study
further and gradually incorporate differentiated instruction into the
curriculum with the hopes that every child would be more capable of
reaching her maximum potential. I do not want there to be any students
who go unnoticed; I do not want anyone to feel alone, lost or ashamed
in my classroom.
My Promise…
I will establish a mutual respect between teacher and student.
I will appreciate every student as an individual with his own wishes
and needs. I intend to create a warm, nurturing environment where the
students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and grow. I want to
instill the desire to learn and work hard. I want to use my creativity
to foster a classroom that incorporates both fun and educational
enrichment.
