Candice Mason

Who I Am

Hello! My name is Candice Mason and I am an undergraduate student at Old Dominion University pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

I grew up in Virginia Beach and now reside in Williamsburg, Virginia.
I have three young children and I am happily married!
After volunteering at my kids school and occasionally substituting, I found a love for working with children and decided to go back to school to become a teacher. The wonderful teachers I have worked with as a teacher aide at Hampton Roads academy, have inspired me to follow my dream of one day having my own classroom. I am almost forty years old and I hope to show my children that it is never too late to further your education and pursue a new career path.
Fun Fact about me: I am a Disney fanatic! I love all things Disney and I try to go to Florida any chance I get with my family!

What I Know

I believe I can help my students with life skills. I hope to teach kindergarten. I want to encourage empathy, communication, and kindness. I have learned that positive reinforcements and celebrating achievements fosters an inclusive and productive classroom community. Reading and handwriting is a passion of mine. I want to teach children to problem solve and establish routines. Ultimately, I would want to prepare my students for the next grade so they will develop a lifelong love of learning.

What I Have To Learn

I look forward to learning about what it means to be a teacher. I want to learn to manage a classroom but also connect on an individual level with each one of my students. I will challenge myself to grow as a person by learning how to use new technology that would be beneficial in the classroom.

The Teacher I Will Become

I plan to be a teacher with a student-centered classroom. I would love to teach at Hampton Roads Academy (HRA). I currently am a first grade aide at HRA. I have developed important mentors there. I have become friends with my first grade team and value the community at our school. I plan to use educational philosophies of progressivism and existentialism. I believe progressivism is important because problem solving skills are paramount to this philosophy and a life long skill my students will benefit from. I believe in the philosophy of existentialism as well. I believe every child has meaning and this philosophy embodies my personal beliefs. The classroom I envision is a close community of children that enjoy learning together and support each other emotionally. Education is so much more than then a building, students, and teachers. Education is humanity's commitment to optimism and working for a better future for generations to come. The purpose of my classroom will be to create this optimism. The most important thing students will learn is how to learn together and treat each other with kindness. I look forward to having constant interaction with them and to watch them grow. The metaphor I would use is that of a mother bird teaching their offspring how to fly. This involves trust, faith, and purpose.

How I Used AI

I used Canva for the AI image. I asked Canva to create an image that had kindergarten female students engaged in group work. I really enjoyed the pictures that Canva produced and ultimately decided on the picture in the box to the left.

Comments :

Hey Candice- I want to teach 2, 3 or 4th grades, I love the littles but I do not think I have the patience to teach first grade! I am very uncomfortable with AI, but I have used canva-I am not very good at it but hope to learn more so I can create for my classroom. I also want to teach children to have a lifelong love of learning. It is so important, and your education is one thing no one can ever take away from you. -Amanda Perkins

Hi Candice! Love your post, it's so cute! I love how passionate you seem about your future job. My mom also went back to school when she was 40 to be a teacher, and it was so inspiring to me! I think it's also great that you currently get to experience a different part of being in the classroom by being an aide. I also have to work on classroom management; it seems so daunting. I also agree with the progressive philosophy of education! You seem like you will be an amazing teacher, good luck!

Breana Mosher

Hi Candice! I have always been a HUGE Disney fan as well. My daughter is a Bluey lover and starting to show an interest in princess movies, so excited. I think we have a very similar view of what we want our classrooms to look like, especially in today's world offernig a place of optimism and kindness is so important. I love that you decided to pursue your passion, it's never too late and you're going to be amazing. -Alyson Kelley

Hi Candice, I think it is so inspiring that you are following your passions as they evolve throughout your life! I think this is so important because many people just settle for whatever makes them money instead of pursuing what truly will make them feel fulfilled and happy! I think your passion for teaching will surely translate into the success of your students :) I also love your belief that education is "a commitment to optimism and working towards a better future for generations to come". I think this statement is so powerful and puts so much purpose into being a teacher! Its not an easy job, but your commitment to empowering the youth is moving. -Chloe Megeath

I loved your presentation the colors were fun and they grabbed my attention from the very beggining. I have always said that the beggining people skills come from kindergarten. So I am glad that you are recognizing that and that you want to teach those people skills that they need. At that age kids are easily influenmced but the life lessosn that they learn are going to stuck with them for the rest of their life. I know that you will teach them kindness and set them up for success in the future.

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