Who Am I?

My name is Lauryn Jones and I am a sophomore at Old Dominion University. I began my college career in 2019 majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology, but I realized I didn't feel too stable with that major, so I switched to a major in English with a concentration in Teacher Preparation in 2021. I was born in Chesapeake, Virginia, but moved to Niceville, Florida when I was less than six months old. I moved back to Chesapeake when I was around four years old. I am the oldest child out of my two siblings, Lynzee (12) and Jaxon (7). I would say that the experiences I went through early on in my life have made me the extremely loving, passionate, and truthful woman I am today. I want nothing more in life than to help children from multitudes of backgrounds realize their self-worth and to teach them in ways that will impact them forever.

What I Know

As a future educator, I believe one of the most important things I know is that our society is not a "one size fits all" kind of deal. These children we teach and assist come from all types of backgrounds and have been through many instances we may not even be able to begin to comprehend. It is imperative to treat these children as if they are your own, and guide them in the right direction as much as humanly possible. Some of these children may not have the most ideal experiences at home, so I believe while they are at school under your care and guidance, it is your responsibility to be that person for them that they can look up to, trust, and believe in. Relationships are a huge part of being an educator, and when you have a strong connection with your students, they will perform better and have a more positive outlook towards their education. I plan to teach my students that life is not a "cookie-cutter" and not everything happens as timely, as pleasant, or as planned for everyone. Everything happens differently for each of them, and all they can do is to continue to do their best and life will take charge of the rest.

What I Have To Learn

I am currently a Paraprofessional at a middle school, which is my first job working in an educational setting. During my time at this job so far, one thing I have noticed across the many classes I attend on a daily basis is the need for great skills in classroom management. When a teacher has established effective classroom management skills, I believe that it provides the teacher with a solid foundation in the classroom. As a Paraprofessional, I work with Special Education students who specifically have learning disabilities and it has given me insight on what exactly children like them need; such as small groups, read aloud, extra time, etc. Using what I am learning currently will help me learn even more in my future as an educator. I believe it is extremely important to have lessons and activities that all students can identify with and enjoy, using many types of learning styles. I definitely would say that I need to learn about all of those learning styles that are effective for my students and how to best help those who struggle with learning disabilities to make them feel as included and not as singled-out in the classroom.

The Teacher I Will Become

I believe the purpose of school is to not only educate, but to provide a safe space for our students. I think that it is important for your students to feel like your classroom is a safe space and you are someone that can not only teach them new, valuable lessons, but also someone who can help them with more personal situations as well. The overarching concepts I aim to teach my future students are respect, kindness, understanding, and social skills. I want my students to understand that everyone comes from different backgrounds, with different obstacles, and different strengths; coming to terms with that will help them grasp the overarching concepts I want them to learn. I want to provide a multitude of educational experiences for all types of learners, using many different tools to ensure all of my lessons cater to everyone. I will interact with my students with love and understanding, and I will expect them to treat their classmates with the same standards. The two philosophies I identify with the most are existentialism and social reconstructivism. One word I hope to be described as as a teacher would be inspiring, while a word that describes my students would be determined. I hope that if someone walks into my future classroom, they would see a room full of engaged students being lead by an enthusiastic, caring teacher who will stop at nothing short of being the absolute best for those students.