What is the Past That Brought Me Here?
When I was a little girl I was always around children of all ages. I have a large family that believes all of your time should be spent with family. So growing up as the 2nd oldest of 7 children I knew my future would involve working with children. When I was in high school I developed a love for history and I also always dreamed of coaching soccer. So going into college I thought I would be a history, high school teacher and soccer coach. After completing my first course in education and I reflected on the 70 observation hours I spent in a high school classroom, I realized at that point high school is not for me! As I reflected even further I felt panicked, what was I going to do now, I always thought I would teach and coach. After many hours of thinking about other courses I liked I switched my major to something I found very interesting, psychology. I didn’t know how that would work into working with children but I knew I would find a way.
After taking an Introduction to Psychology course I spoke with the course instructor about my love for working with children and also my interest in psychology. She then set me up on a tour of the St. Ambrose Children’s Campus. My mind was blown, I had no idea this is what preschool was. You must know the in's and out's of the developing, whole child (psychology) in order to help each child learn and grow (teaching), putting those two together early childhood education! I remember feeling goose bumps walking into each room, the infant room (what?, an infant room I was shocked!), the 2 year old room and then the preschool rooms. Instantly I knew preschool was the place for me. The day after visiting the Children’s Campus I rejoined the Education Program and began my journey of gaining an Early Childhood Education degree!
When I was a little girl I was always around children of all ages. I have a large family that believes all of your time should be spent with family. So growing up as the 2nd oldest of 7 children I knew my future would involve working with children. When I was in high school I developed a love for history and I also always dreamed of coaching soccer. So going into college I thought I would be a history, high school teacher and soccer coach. After completing my first course in education and I reflected on the 70 observation hours I spent in a high school classroom, I realized at that point high school is not for me! As I reflected even further I felt panicked, what was I going to do now, I always thought I would teach and coach. After many hours of thinking about other courses I liked I switched my major to something I found very interesting, psychology. I didn’t know how that would work into working with children but I knew I would find a way.
After taking an Introduction to Psychology course I spoke with the course instructor about my love for working with children and also my interest in psychology. She then set me up on a tour of the St. Ambrose Children’s Campus. My mind was blown, I had no idea this is what preschool was. You must know the in's and out's of the developing, whole child (psychology) in order to help each child learn and grow (teaching), putting those two together early childhood education! I remember feeling goose bumps walking into each room, the infant room (what?, an infant room I was shocked!), the 2 year old room and then the preschool rooms. Instantly I knew preschool was the place for me. The day after visiting the Children’s Campus I rejoined the Education Program and began my journey of gaining an Early Childhood Education degree!