Clarissa R. Porterfield

Head Start Teacher











Hello Fellow  Blogger!                                

Who would have known that a dramatic life changing experience would direct me in the path of teaching!  I always loved working with children and being a mentor to those around me. Even though my passion for working with children was strong, it always seen as if there was something standing in my way. You always here the saying “Things happen for a reason” but it never affects you until it’s starring you in the face. When I thought I was headed down the right career path as if God made that road end and then stated me on a different path. With God’s guidance I was able to rid my life of the negativity that was holding me back from my teaching career.

Prior to leaving off to college, I spent most of my childhood years in Memphis, TN. I had very strong upbringing by parents that believed in the importance of education. My mother, is a woman that strongly believes there‘s always something to learn. There I was always involved in educational programs, social events such as Girl Scouts and church functions. With this events it helped build my character.

During my child years like most kids I played school with my peers. We would alternate turns in the leadership roles. We would gather up our dolls and begin reading to them. During these playful exercises we would discover that hands on experiences helped us study for the test. Even though I always enjoying the role of the teacher, I never thought I would pursue a career in teaching. 

During my teenage years I worked at a community center during the summer working as a youth counselor. This job was something that I looked forward to every year. I was able to interact with children ranging from ages three to thirteen.  I had the opportunity to serve as a mentor and a friend. This was my first experience in the teaching field, and allowed me to view my tolerance level with children.

The path I chosen to travel down I feel it will have a major impact on someone’s life. While attending University of Tennessee at Martin, I felt that it open my eyes to truly see the importance of an education. I was also understood that in order to be successful you must have an excitement for what you are doing. If you that excitement it will really make a difference in your endeavors. The impact that my professors had in my life encourage me to pursue teaching. While obtaining my Bachelor Administration degree I wanted to change my major in Management Information System several times, but I kept pushing it off.

Once I graduated, I still was undecided if I was ready to enter corporate America or go back to school. After a couple years of trying the corporate life I was yet to find happiness. I enjoyed when the opportunity presented itself to teach a new task to someone.

 So when my road came to an end in the corporate world. I decide to follow my dreams in pursuing to become a knowledgeable teacher.  I want to become a teacher of business to prepare them for this society.  My commitment and the passion that I have for teaching will show in me everyday. There were many steps that I took to get where I am today but I am very Thankful that I do get the opportunity to say that teaching is apart of me.  

So how did you know that teaching is apart of you?

Impact that Play has on Early Childhood Development

As I reflect on my early experiences that I had growing up as child I feel that play had significant impact on my life. There were so many great memories when it came to my childhood that had to do with indoor and outdoor interactions with my family and friends. One particular thing that stood out to me was summer vacations.  Every summer growing up all of my cousins would stay with my grandmother due to our parents having to work. So we played and played while learning from each other life experiences.

As I think about specific memories I feel that play impacted my developmental skills cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. My cognitive skills allow me to think outside the box when it comes to problem solving and reasoning decision making. While exploring inside and outside it helped me build gross motor skills by running, jumping, playing, and staying active. While being active as a child it helped me to grow socially and emotionally. I was given the ability to feel comfortable expressing my needs and wants.

So when given the topic of discussion on rather to discuss play or relationship/attachment when it comes to child development, I decided to focus on play. Children’s play has a big impact on where they are developmentally in so many ways.  As teachers in the early childhood field we sometimes look at center based activities as just play/free time but it so much more.

Those centers are designed for learners to explore in the classroom and connect to real world experiences. As they are playing in the dramatic play area they make a connection for what topics that are being taught in classroom (i.e. money and community helpers) and building upon their prior knowledge.  Also, during play students are communicating both verbally and nonverbal to their peers which will increase their vocabulary and language skills. During play or gross motors time it will help students understand the reason why we teach them to share and to respect their friends.  It will allow students to openly express their feeling and feel safe in their classroom.

In the article of Pre-school peer play: The beginning of Social Competence Mathieson and Banerjee stated that, “Peer play provides an important learning context for the early development of social competence, but not enough is known about the emergence of peer relationships in the pre-school year (Mathieson & Banerjee, 2010).” After reading this article I feel it supported my view on the importance of play when it comes to child development.

Reference

Mathieson, K., & Banerjee, R. (2010). Pre-school peer play: The beginnings of social competence. Educational & Child Psychology, 27(1), 9-20.

How do you feel that play impacted your childhood development?

“In early childhood you may lay the foundation of poverty or riches, industry of idleness, good or evil, by the habits to which you train your children. Teach them right habits then, and their future life is safe.”
                                                   - Lydia Sigourney - 



  “It is easier to build strong children than to repair                             broken men.”
                                            - Frederick Douglass - 

     

     “A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity,                                                          knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils.”

                                                                                 - Ever Garrison -