My name is Janae Griffiths and I currently teach in a second grade Classroom at

Jefferson Elementary in Richland Center WI.

From a young age I have dreamed of being a teacher, but life had a different path
for me. My college journey right after high school was cut short, but I hoped a
chance to return would present itself. One year, as I walked my children into
school on the first day that I felt something. I knew the opportunity had arrived. I
longed to be in the classroom with those children sharing the excitement of a
new year of learning and spending time together.
Grand Canyon University encourages us to be leaders, life long learners, and to
serve the school and community in which we live.
In the classroom I lead by example. I demonstrate fairness and kindness. I
encourage and teach the students about being kind and respectful to others. We
practice it daily, no matter the assignment or project we are working on. I
encourage them to listen and learn from one another. I work to create lessons
that provide opportunities for them to be active participants where they can
share their opinions with the class and where we can have meaningful
discussions about each student’s comments. I teach them to value one another
and how we are blessed to have each one in our class. We are all part of a puzzle
and without one, we would be incomplete.
I am a lifelong learner who searches via the internet, reads blogs and articles
about teaching and successful strategies. I participate in conversations with my
Cooperating teacher and fellow faculty to improve my skills and gain inspiration
from them. I participate in faculty meetings, Professional Learning Community
meetings where strategies, concerns, and ideas are born and where we work
together to provide a successful learning opportunity for each student that
involves social and academic opportunities. We celebrate our differences, and the
differences of our students and discuss ways we can meet their needs.
I strive to serve my community by participating in events at the local school and
support the other schools in the community by watching plays, attending
concerts, or participating in fundraisers at local restaurants. I support fellow
teachers by listening to them and stepping in where I can to give them a break.
I enjoy learning about the many ways I can incorporate technology into the
classroom. We have done reports using reliable websites and books combined.
We share what we are doing with our families using communication apps, such
as seesaw. The students are able to practice labeling and recording themselves to
share details about their work. We will be working with google slides and the
students use learning games to increase their math facts comprehension as well
as reading skills through other learning applications. We have taken virtual
fieldtrips with our weekly readers and have introduced new content with videos
that introduce a topic in a fun and unique way. Learning applications are an
excellent way to reach students of varying abilities since many of them change
according to the style and comprehension of each student individually. This helps
those who are above level have an even greater opportunity for challenge.
My philosophy and love for teaching has only grown through my experience in
the classroom. I look forward to seeing the students each day and providing them
opportunities to learn new things as well as share new things they have found on
their own. I am learning to have greater compassion for students whose family
life is less than ideal. I have learned to better trust my instincts and to pay
attention to the students. Their body language tells me when they are ready to
move onto working independently, or when they are still struggling. I have
learned that it is okay to stop and take a step back. It does not mean failure; it
just means more time is needed. I look forward to learning from my peers and
appreciate their advice. I look forward to celebrating achievements with my
students in every capacity whether it be in school or outside of school their
entire life is of value and importance and they deserve my listening ear.
As a professional educator, I believe teaching to be a career that covers a wide
range of necessary skills. I look forward to improving these skills with each
coming year.