AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY 1

Staying Focused: Autobiographical Essay

Student: Sherri Genna

Professor: Carol Billing

EDUC 201, Foundations in Education

Tues/Thurs 10 11:15, Spring 2015

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY 2

Staying Focused: Autobiographical Essay

My father showed us what dedication to a family looked like. He never went to

high school but had his own business as a landscape contractor. He made everyones yard

look like a picture in a magazine. I loved his work ethic. I am the big sister in my family

and have always loved kids. As an early teen I was the neighborhood babysitter. My

passion has always been working with kids so becoming a teacher was an easy decision

and this goal is now within my grasp.

Educational Background

While growing up I went to four elementary schools, one middle school and one

high school. The reason for switching elementary schools was because of my parents.

My biological Mother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when I was 5. My Father

placed my Mother in an institution and he couldnt take care of us so my brothers and I

ended up in foster care. While in foster care I was forced to repeat first grade because I

could not read. I remember going into class and working with several teachers before

school started. Once I started reading I liked going to the library because I did not have

any books at home.

I was in foster care for six years of my childhood before returning to my father

and step-mothers house at age 13. I struggled through middle school and high school

because I did not have any direction in my life. My parents did not push education in our

home; we simply did chores and played outside all day. They did not have high school

diplomas and seemed ok with it. I wanted more so I was determined to graduate, get a

good job and be independent. In spite of my fathers lack of education he had a good

work ethic. He had his own business and he was always working to support his large
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blended family, so I decided to follow suit and get my first job to pay for a car, gas,

insurance and whatever else I needed to gain my independence. I also received help from

my high school English teacher, Mr. Brown. He helped me a great deal by being honest.

He told me if I didnt shape up and finish assignments I would have go to summer school

in order to graduate. I was already working at a fast food restaurant so I didnt have time

for summer school. Mr. Brown helped guide me and discussed my future plans. He

fulfilled the role of a counselor and helped me map out what I needed to do in order to

succeed beyond high school. After high school I was able to obtain a better paying job as

a packager and driver of printing company. I also went to community college in the

evenings. At that time I was sure Accounting was my ticket to success.

Currently, I am on the brink of completing my Associates Degree in Education

and would like to further my education in Special Education services. The special

education services I am familiar with are with my sons education. He receives special

education services because of his diagnosis. We treat him as normal as possible, all

while knowing his limitations. We celebrate small milestones that most people take for

granted like tying shoes or brushing his teeth without being asked. My son is on the

Autism Spectrum. His services at school include: Individual Education Plan (IEP),

Positive Behavior Intervention program (PBI), Speech, Occupational Therapy and he is

pulled out of the general education class for help in reading and math. I am very familiar

with the special education system and services offered in the West Ada School District.

My experience with the special education system will help me in the future with daily

tasks, working with children, writing IEPs and conducting annual meetings with parents

teachers and special services professionals.

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Work History

Before I got married and had children I had a job working for a large hospital

corporation. I worked for this corporation for almost ten years in order to pay my bills

while I attend community college in the evenings for an accounting degree. I found the

position to be unfulfilling because I did not like collections and sitting at a desk all day.

After my second daughter was born I knew I wanted to be closer to home so I searched

for a new position while on maternity leave. I had taken a couple of early childhood

education courses at the local community college so I was able to gain employment at the

preschool. The position was head teacher for a two year old classroom. I took my girls

to work with me, dropped them off in their classrooms then went to mine. Each room

had a schedule and was center based. The classroom was sectioned off into different

areas; story time, carpet area, art table, music corner, imaginative play corner, etc. My

coworker and I created a weekly curriculum centered around zoo phonics, basic math

concepts, hands on science and art projects, imaginative play, singing and dancing, etc.

We stuck to the schedule as we managed up to 24 children per day. Did I mention this

was also a potty training room? That was a job in itself, taking kids to the potty every two

hours like clockwork. Thank goodness for nap time! The kids napped on their individual

mats after lunch and we would play classical music during their nap time. The preschool

teachers were also responsible for annual reviews of each child. I loved this day to day

interaction with the children and parents but had to leave this position due to relocation to

another state for my spouses job.

In 2002 we relocated to Idaho. I was able to stay home with my girls at this time

and have another baby. I decided to start my own home daycare modeling the tools I had
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used in the preschool classroom. Two years later, I disbanded the daycare when I

realized my son wasnt developing at the rate of his peers. I concentrated my efforts on

raising my own children and volunteering for my girls schools and activities for the next

several years. Through the experience of staying home and attending to a special needs

child I learned that I was a Mom first and a student second. I had to make sure my kids

were developing properly before I finished my college education.

When my son was established in all of his programs and had a team at school I

wanted to work part time. I obtained a position as a tester for the school district. We

worked in groups of five and traveled to various schools to test students in grades K-3 for

the Idaho Reading Indicator Assessment. We worked with all children regardless of their

ability. I have a lot of transferrable office and child development skills that can be put to

use in an educational setting.

Service and/or Extra Curricular Activities

I am currently involved in my childrens schools on a volunteer basis. I have

children in all levels of school this year; high school, middle school and elementary. At

the high level I help run the snack booth at games as well as volunteer for fundraisers. At

the middle school level I help with the PTA activities. I seem to be the most useful at the

elementary level with teachers needing copies or working with students in the hall if they

need extra reading help, etc.

I volunteer at various church functions. They are always looking for volunteers to

help with collecting food donations as well as the church garden. The garden runs in the

summer and the church coordinator always asks for help with specific gardening tasks.

You can also pick food for yourself and the local food banks. I also volunteer as a group
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leader for vacation bible school and for my childrens extra curricular activities. This

spring I am signed up to be a baseball Mom, swim meet timer, and am on the committee

to organize activities for the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Reno Exchange.

I believe showing children that you are committed by having interest in their

abilities empowers them to do better themselves. Instead of just saying good job on

tasks I like to engage kids and ask them questions. Giving them time to think about what

was just accomplished. If they are having discipline/behavior issues, I address the issue

immediately. This enables the issue to dissipate quickly where we can talk about what

behaviors are expected and can move on to more enjoyable tasks. You must have a calm

demeanor especially when working with other peoples children. I am around children all

the time with my own children, their friends and through volunteer work. I must value

how everyone learns differently and make accommodations for extra time or give the

attention needed on a particular assignment.

Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career

I considered becoming an elementary school teacher after I gained experience as a

preschool teacher. My preschool classroom was such a joy. The children were so

adorable and loved trying new activities and learning new concepts all the time. Their

brains were little sponges that absorbed all kinds of tasks. At that time I also had two

children of my own and I knew I didnt want them to go to daycare while I worked at an

unrewarding office job. The preschool position allowed me to bring my daughters to

work with me. I was also able to work out free preschool for my 4 year old and only pay

partial tuition for my infant. Once my infant moved to the toddler room tuition was free.
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It was added bonus for being employed as a preschool teacher who also didnt make

much of an hourly wage.

Ive been around children my entire life. While in foster care from age 6 12, my

foster family had a designated space for babies and toddlers. I loved when they would get

these tiny humans placed into their home because I loved interacting with them. As a

young teen I used to babysit quite a bit for various neighborhood families. Once I had my

own children and gained experience as a preschool teacher I knew for certain I wanted to

be a teacher.

I considered Accounting and Psychology majors before teaching. I know that

accounting will pay a lot more than teaching but its not about the income. I would rather

have fulfillment in a lower paying position by having the ability to make an impact in a

childs life. I want to see that light bulb moment. That moment when you are teaching a

concept and students suddenly get it. I would also like to see families involved in their

childs classroom. I plan on keeping in constant contact with parents while encouraging

them to volunteer any time they can.

Other anticipations are when a struggling student finally catches up. My son is a

great example of this; he struggles academically because of a diagnosis (Autism). This

year he is finally catching up to his peers. His current test scores are showing major

growth. School Districts like their students tests scores to grow by 8 -9 points per year.

This year, my son grew by 14 and 15 points in areas of math and language. This growth

was quite rewarded at home and at school. We are now reevaluating his goals.

Professional Goals
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I intend to finish at CWI within one semester. I have taken all of my core classes;

English, Math, Speech, Sciences, Humanities, etc. Upon review of my degree, I only

need a few more Education courses before I can transfer to a University. I will verify this

with the head of the Education Department both at CWI & NNU. The NNU program

offers a better time frame toward graduation and its more cost effective for my families

needs. I am an older student so I want to apply for the accelerated Teaching Education

Program at NNU. I plan on starting that program during the spring semester of 2016. The

tour and informational discussion of the NNU campus was an eye opener for me. I

would like to work in an elementary environment so this program would enable me to do

so.

In the mean time I can work part time while my kids are in school. I previously

worked as a tester for the Idaho Reading Indicator through the school district. I would

like to find another part-time position within the school district (a substitute job would be

idea) so I can gain more experience on how the school system works as an employee

verses a parent. Upon completion of my Bachelors Degree at NNU, I will look for

employment as a full time elementary teacher. I dont have a preference as to what grade.

I like all ages in elementary education. Teaching would be ideal for me plus I can remain

flexible for my family. I am not a person that gives up easily and will work for what I

want to accomplish. Ive had some struggles and some unexpected adversitiy in my life

but in the end staying focused and achieving my personal goals are up to me.