Who I Am
Hi! My Name is Alexis Knudson, I am 21 years old and a junior at Old Dominion University. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach and have had such incredible education experiences in both Virginia Beach Public Schools and in the local homeschool community. I was homeschooled from third to eighth grade due to my severe peanut allergy, also because I was dedicated to gymnastics during that time of my life. When I came back to public school for high school I felt so welcomed by not just the students but the teachers as well by my junior year I knew what I was passionate for, teaching. My gymnastics coach in high school, Mrs. Jennifer Ramey was my mentor, my coach, a mother figure, and teacher, she was my main inspiration along with many others. I was in the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow Program for my last two years of high school and was awarded a teaching contract in VBCPS following those two years of teaching experience. Following high school I have coached gymnastics, worked in the restaurant industry, a preschool and I have nannied for the same family for nearly three years, there is one 3 year old girl, Finley and a 6 year old boy, Logan. Logan is currently in VBCPS so I have gotten to learn some small technology aspects and other important information from his grade level. I know I have a passion for teaching and working with kids and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
What I Know
When I become a teacher in my own classroom I know the importance of balancing the personal and education needs of each individual students. Throughout my classroom experiences I have seen so many different individuals and I feel it so important to not just be a teacher but to be a mentor as my main main teacher inspiration, Mrs. Ramey taught me. I also feel the attitude of a teacher effects the students so going into the classroom everyday ready to inspire and support my students to their full potential is something I should be prepared for every day. As I stated previously I know I have always wanted to work with children, I even grew up with my mom running a day care. I want to build up the younger generation especially because some of their education has been affected by the global pandemic and the effects of it.
What I Have To Learn
As a teacher I will have to learn how to properly organize and manage my classroom to make it run smoothly for each lesson every day. I want to learn from my colleagues may they be new teachers that have learned different strategies or teachers that have more traditional techniques that have worked for them for years. I want to learn how to use the new technology and software systems that I did not use throughout my years of school but also incorporate the traditional strategies. I want to challenge myself each quarter/semester to learn a new teaching technique and to learn something new about each of my students.
The Teacher I Will Become
I will become a teacher whos main focus at all times is her students. Yes, the curriculum and the people are surrounding me are important as well but I feel that the students deserve my best effort that will most benefit them. I will also become a teacher who collaborates, whether it be student to student or involving other teachers and the parents as well. I feel that it is extremely important for students to voice their own opinions. One word that I hope describes me as a teacher is caring. I feel that making a bond with each of my students is so important and I want to be their support system inside the classroom even if its for their problems outside the classroom. Progressivism suits me best as an educator as I myself am a hands on learner so I want to use what I know best to make a strong class environment. Each student should have a different experience based on their needs and I want to make it memorable for each one of the individuals.