1+Introduction

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Personal Statement  My name is RaShawnda Mo’Nique Person. Currently I am a junior at Bowie State University located in Bowie, Maryland. My intended graduation date is May 2011. Following my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/Special Education, my next goal is to pursue a Master’s degree in Child Counseling. Once I obtain work experience, I intend to teach in Prince George’s County Public Schools for about three years, and then become a guidance counselor, with hope in changing student’s lives for the better. As a student, I have worked hard to achieve academic excellence. My current cumulative G.P.A. is 3.382. As a result of focus, determination, and perseverance, I have been selected on the Golden Key International Honor Society, President of the Student Advisory Board for the College of Education, and have been a recipient of the Dean’s List twice. Currently, I am in the top 15th percent of my junior class which consist of over 1,000 students. My goals consist of both short term and long term. My short term goal is to continue on pace towards academic excellence and graduate from college with honors, more importantly, graduate knowing that I have given my best to aptly prepare for life. My parents taught me that if you fail to prepare you prepare to fail. In that connection, I intend to maintain very good work ethics, which includes four to six hours of study time each day, providing student leadership and learning as much as I can from my teachers. My long term goals consist of first, completing my senior year at Bowie State University and majoring in Early Childhood Education. And finally, to attend Master’s school for Child Counseling in the Fall of 2011. My family is the heartbeat of my inspiration. I come from a family with lots of love, affection and support in all my endeavors. My father is my role model. He always encourages me not to quit because quitters never win and winners never quit. My parents consistently supported my dreams and my desire to become a productive person in life. They make sure that I have the proper guidance needed to excel in life. They are also very excellent people to talk to in the time of need.

**Education Philosophy** I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites a sharing of ideas. When the teacher's role is to guide, providing access to information rather than acting as the primary source of information, the students' search for knowledge is met as they learn to find answers to their questions. For students to construct knowledge, they need the opportunity to discover for them and practice skills in authentic situations. Providing student’s access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space to use materials that reinforce the lesson being studied creates an opportunity for individual discovery and construction of knowledge to occur. For me, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. I feel there is a need for compassionate, strong, and dedicated individuals who are excited about working with children. I am such a person and will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.

Maryland Teacher Technology Standard Project