|
|
|
Suzana Spina,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
A word to summarize my philosophy on teaching is respect. I respect the profession of teaching as a guidance of children in eliminating limitations on their potential and going above and beyond their expectations of self, in preparation for adulthood. In early childhood education, we are paving the way for students to have a love for learning, which is a life-long process. With this love, their learning will always be intrinsically motivated, which gives teachers and the educational community in the future more time to teach instead of having to motivate.
As a teacher, I prepare and provide a foundation of self-esteem for
now and the future. The world can be intimidating, but I provide
a safe environment where the students can securely
explore their curiosities with the support of peers
and guiding adults. There
are no silly questions or questions too small to
address. When
students in my pre-kindergarten class have a challenging
task ahead of them, I
have taught them to say, "Yo si puedo." That means
I can do it. In the beginning of the school year, they are always
hesitant to repeat it, but by the second semester,
they are encouraging peers
by telling them "they can do it." It empowers them
by giving them the self respect needed to try new
things and not fear the unknown.
Pre-kindergarten is a pertinent time in each student's educational
career. The students are formulating ideas and opinions
about what school is. I
make sure to guide them by making every lesson fun and
relevant. When
reading stories, the students will act them out with
props. When
learning math, we use musical instruments to "play patterns." I
believe the environment has to be multi-sensory, stimulating,
and related to the "here and now" for young children.
I respect and embrace the differences in my students. In my
Spanish class, there are children from all over,
including Uruguay, Cuba, Guatemala, El Salvador,
Mexico, Honduras, and Puerto Rico. Each
country and regions comes with its dialect, customs,
and traditions. Everyday
we learn new vocabulary that is used in each country. For
example, when a child continuously called" glue
" by a name I didn't recognize, I asked his
mother how they said it in Uruguay. She taught me a new word
and I taught it in class. Now, for labeling and pre-literacy
skills, we have both words in Spanish for "glue"
on the bin where the glue is stored. This has come up with several
words.
Last, but definitely not least, I respect the students' and their
families' needs. Being a special education class, each
student has a need that requires accommodations to
overcome or help limit any barriers in learning. I have found
doctors and programs to assist a low income student
in receiving hearing aids. I have
translated at many doctor visits, social worker appointments,
and other local agencies. I worked with a family that needed
emergency shelter and later relocation and furniture. I have
located free adaptive equipment for a child with
physical needs to be able to ride
bicycles in the park with his siblings. I believe the parents
and families of my students see me as a safe resource
they can count on, and I respect that.
Educational
/ Professional Background
University Degrees
- B.S. - Benedictine University
Certifications
- Certified in Bilingual Education, Special Education - Region X Education Service Center Richardson, TX
Employment History
2003 to Present - Barron Early Childhood School
- Spanish PPCD Teacher
- Team Leader
- Core Team Member of Crisis Prevention Institute
- Mentor for three new teachers
- Member of Multicultural Committee
- Member of district wide Special Education Planning Strategy Committee
- Presenter at new teacher training inservice
- Mentor for PESH student enrolled in early childhood education courses
- Member of School Based Improvement Committee
- Beginning Teacher of the Year 2003-2004
2001 - U.S. Peace Corps, St. Vincent, Eastern Caribbean
1999 to 2001 - Sea Mar Community Health Center, Seattle, WA
- Bilingual Community Dietitian
School
Principal's Recommendation
It is a privilege to recommend Suzana Spina, Spanish PPCD teacher at Barron Early Childhood School for Teacher of the Year. Ms. Spina teaches three to five year olds with a variety of special needs. She also serves as a team leader.
Ms. Spina developed her instructional skills in the profit and nonprofit sectors before becoming a public school educator. She trained new employees at a local restaurant and worked with women in Central America through the Peace Corp. Her prior experience gives her a presence and a sense of purpose that teachers rarely possess. Suzana is also able to comfortably speak publicly to large groups of adults.
She is dedicated to the children and masters new instructional techniques with speed and understanding. She creates a classroom environment that is stimulating and welcoming. The children are encouraged to be independent and responsible as they make choices throughout the day. Ms. Spina develops and utilizes a variety of instructional materials and strategies to help her students achieve their objectives. She is a master teacher.
Additionally, Suzana has numerous personality characteristics that contribute to her success as a teacher. She has a wonderful sense of humor that she uses very effectively with both the children and their parents. One frequently hears quiet laughter coming from her room. She is a warm person with great personal integrity and high energy. Those who work on her team, count it a privilege to do so.
Ms. Spina is extremely active in her church. Coming from a grounding in her faith, she selflessly reaches out to those in need around her. Suzana has helped parents obtain hearing aides for their child; find shelter in an emergency; locate furniture and household items; translate for them so they can obtain help from local agencies; locate physicians who will work on a sliding scale or provide pro bono services; and on and on. As you can see, she is constantly trying to improve the quality of lives, both her students and their families, in a quiet and unassuming fashion.
Please consider Suzana Spina as Plano's Teacher
of the Year.
Sincerely,
Elaine M. Schmidt, Ed.D.
Barron Early Childhood School Principal
|
|
