ALL ABOUT ME: Personal and Professional

Informal interaction with some Grade 2 students

QUOTES ABOUT –

1.       Children – “The pastoral responsibility has been long defined as the core work of a school, enabling the child to develop as a student and an individual. In the past, many people perhaps regarded it as mainly concerned with discipline, but for some time now it has been clearly seen that effective whole-school pastoral care is an essential support for pupils’ learning.”

The Pastoral Head’s Handbook; Jeff Jones, Mazda Jenkin, Jim Andrews. (1999)

2.       Childhood – “The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that we once enjoyed ourselves.”

(Kahlil Gibran quote)

http://thinkexist/quotations/childhood

3.       Families – “Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly being graded for performance.”

(Milton R. Saperstein)

http://www.bring.com/search?q=families+quotes=MSN1-

4.       Early childhood – “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 sight is safe.”

Lydia Sigourney

The title of a children’s book I love is: Hansel and Gretel; that is illustrated by Suzy-Jane Tanner.

The reason why I love this story book is because it is a see and say story book in which anyone can read along, using the handy picture word guide inside the back cover. It is a very colourful picture book, and the method used (see and say), is a tried and trusted way to engage children in the first stage of reading. They can say the picture words aloud, and this helps to build confidence and develop early reading skills.

A true story about one of my Grade one students that touched my heart

Jemeilia is a seven year old Grade one student at my school. She is experiencing difficulties at school, as it relates to her behavior. Her mother was particularly concerned with her inability to concentrate at school, and her involvement in disruptive behaviours. As a result, the school’s assigned counselor conducted several sessions on her, then referred her to a medical doctor so as to have a psychological assessment done.

However, she was seen at the child and adolescent clinic upon request of her mother. Unfortunately, her diagnosis was Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. In addition to that, her condition was impaired by a severe lack of structure in her social environment, as well as evidence of neglect and suggestions of physical abuse.

For that reason, she was placed on medication, with the aim of controlling her impulsivity, so that she could be able to function properly in school. Her intellectual functioning is below average, but can perform well if given the needed support.

Nonetheless, it was suggested that she should remain in an environment where a counselor is present to offer her some support. Likewise, teachers avail themselves to provide additional support when this becomes necessary.

This is an image of Jemeilia’s drawing. After her class teacher held discussions with her students on the topic, “My Family”, she asked them to draw the different members that are living in their family, and, this is what Jemeilia drew.

I have chosen this image because I know that Jemeilia has the potential to achieve, since children learn about the world in a variety of ways. However, it is especially important when a student can give a reflection of him/herself, strengths and weaknesses; as well as having some moral intelligence which has defined her as a “good person” , as opposed to a not-so-good student.

                                                    Jemeilia's drawing depicting her family