Hi! My name is Deana Manning and I am junior majoring in Elementary Edutions with the plans of being a K-2 teacher. I come from a small town of Emporia, Virginia, I graduated from Greensville County High School as well as Southside Community College with my Associates degree in Arts and Sciences with honors. There isn't much in the town I come from, so many people just try to excel in life and be able to move away. I am the baby of my mother's three children and I am the auntie of a beautiful four year old. I was a cheerleader during my time in middle school as well as my four years in high school—I was on the junior varisty cheer squad for two years and captain for one of those years, I was also on the varsity cheer squad and withheld a captian's position for one of those years as well. I was also in our local Beta Club program and won a second place award with my group in the category of dancing. During my free time I enjoy spending lots of time with family and friends, shopping, and trying new foods. Many of my very own teachers inspired me to be a teacher because they were older and I realized that someone else was going to have to step in and take their places. I also have a love for children and I want to pass on the knowledge that I have and give them the tender, love, and care that some of them are really in need of.
I want to learn how to make activities that will be fun and allow my students to interact with myself and their classmates. I would also like to learn how to make lesson plans and organization within in the classroom. Learning how to have an abundance amount of paitence is a huge goal of mine as well because I realize that there are some students who require more attention than others.
I want to become a loving and caring teacher. I want to be the best teacher I can be and provide all of my students with the needs they desire. I want all of my students to be successful and enjoyable learning experience. Many children struggle in the higher level of school because they were cut short during their lower levels—they have not been taught basic concepts that are very important.
I agree with you that the lower level students really need as many basic concepts as possible. I also feel like I need to learn as much about lesson planning as possible, because it is one thing to give an engaging lecture but another to get the students to engage with each other. I'm sure your experience cheering will be a huge asset to you. The things cheerleaders do: work on a team, memorize routines, and keep up a high level of energy, are all things that will be important in a K-2 classroom. -Eleanor Jones
Hi Deana!, I also transferred to ODU from a community college and am interested in the same grades as you. I feel that as new educators we can give the lower level students great opportunities to benefit their futures. I think collaboration and interaction are huge factors in making a classroom environment special. I see so many great aspects in yourself that will make a great K-2 teacher and I am sure your love and care will make an impact on all your students. - Alexis Knudson
Hello! While reading about you I realized that we actually have alot in common. While I was going thorughout school I didn't cheer but I did majorette dancing and I felt as though having a extra ciriculum activity really kept me focused. Even though we major in Elemetry Education I also have a preference of being in a K-2nd grade level class. With younger students they are easier to be guided as they get older, your going to be a great teacher who your students can look up to. ~ Janiyah Johnson
Hi Deana! I loved reading through your page and I used to drive through Emporia all the time on my way to North Carolina. I also plan to teach K-2 and from reading your page I think you'll do great with that group! I enjoyed reading about your aspirations to have the classroom be an enjoyable learning environment for your students, especially at a younger age it is important to keep them as engaged as possible while keeping the information fun! Best of luck this semester! - Ana Burmeister
Hi Deana! This is Janny Kim, and after reading your page I can tell you are a caring and loving person. Not only because you are a mother, but it seems as though you really do care about the children you want to impact. I am also an Education major, and it is always empowering to see such strong women make a big impact on kids lives. I know that you will thrive and see those students succeed in the belief that the foundational concepts is the key in teaching children to become better students. I wish you the best for the rest of the semester~ -Janny Kim