Sept. 16, 2008 issue

My family and I moved from Ohio six years ago. I was looking for a job and saw an advertisement in the employment section for a teaching position in the Children's Institute.

I saw this as a perfect opportunity because, in addition to teaching children, I would be teaching students how to teach children. This would provide a chance to pass on the beliefs I have about teaching and teach on a different level.

The layers of learning on this campus are amazing. Children are growing as we teach them while, at the same time, college students are interacting and learning from their experiences in our classroom. Also, staff members can use the resources on campus to continue their education as active learners. The energy at EMU, and especially at the preschool, is wonderful. Seeing and working with the parents every day is very rewarding. The staff members at the Institute are part of a community.  

Because my husband's job forces us to move around a lot, the six years I have been at Eastern are the longest I have worked in one place. I would love to finish my career here. At some level, I believe that being educated as a small child on this campus will positively impact the children I teach down the road. Being around adults learning and watching the parents study is very powerful.

The resources we have to offer children here are fantastic. Professors are always willing to work with us to teach the kids something, which is a definite advantage of the Institute. Collaborating with professors broadens the vision and the context in which children learn. I don't ever want to stop teaching. The energy and the spark of learning give me a purpose. — Contributed by Krystin Jarrell

 

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