Tag: Reflections

Posted in Reflections, Thoughts About Children

Begin Again…

Posted on by Janis Sexton

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Summer will soon be over for me, as I always like to start back early to set up my classroom…

Starting back earlier than the required time, gives me the much needed time to plan, organize, and utilize my creativity hoping to make it a “great year”…

I have found through my many years of experience;

Setting up a well organized classroom is fundamentally crucial to the success of the beginning of a new school year…

Supplies are essential, and I do hope my new students will be able to contribute…However, because our school has such a diverse population, I do realize, and understand many will not be able to help…We teachers do receive a small  budget, so in order to provide for our children, we do have to pay for much of our supplies out of our own pocket…

I can always hope after the many years of teaching, we would have the necessary funding and support for our precious children and our public education system…

I do love utilizing my creativity in decorating the classroom…I do believe a classroom, especially with young children, should be warm and inviting…one that will inspire
learning…

My hope is to have such a classroom, even with all the rigors and demands…My children will want to learn, and want to return each and every day!

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I have always believed my role as teacher, would be such an influence on the many children I have taught…

Accepting this crucial role;

One being that positive role model, is the most critical responsibility; not which I have taken lightly…

Moreover, because I have taken on this responsibility, especially realizing in my later years; It has been of my opinion that I need to demonstrate my style through my actions; even with my appearance; those essential values that would hopefully teach my students how to balance their need to belong in being social;

To becoming that critical thinker; a person of integrity; one who who would respect and accept our differences…

I have believed to accomplish this; I have had to utilize my flair for drama, art, and my professionalism thus making our classroom warm, structured and a safe environment that  fosters such values as: having a strong work ethic; practicing kindness within our classroom essential with our classmates and others around our school ; learning to be honest and speaking the truth; learning how to cooperate and work through conflicts with their words; and especially the understanding and acceptance of our differences…

Hopefully, the outcome for my students would be to learn and appreciate values that they will need to become active and productive adults…living a true life…

I feel the children of today who live in poverty, many of the children that I teach, due to circumstance have few positive role models to guide them with the choices they make ; Therefore, I have felt the need to be that strong influencer in their lives…Hopefully making that difference…

Being a Role Model

Posted in Reflections

Facilitating Teaching Through Inspiration

Posted on by Janis Sexton

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When I first began, I found  children were more ready to learn…They came to school in a time when lives were less  complex, and there was not a definite distinction of those that have or those that do not…I really did not have to worry so much about my creativity,  and  it was not an issue to utilize any definitive skill in my teaching…Children learned and were inspired…I could just teach and enjoy…

It was a simpler time… And moreover, this was during the  time when children of color finally were “permitted” to attend; during Integration and Civil Rights; early ’70’s…. It was understood the every child was there to learn and wanted to learn… Parents sent their children to learn… Those  were  the values shared by “all”.

Today’s world is so much different ;and  my teaching has had to meet those needs to continue to  facilitate this love of learning…Our children may not always come prepared, and not by their choice but because of some economic or parental instability in their home life…They may come to school hungry, sleepy, or ill prepared because they did not have a time to do  their homework….These precious children  live in chaos… 

I am a stronger teacher…My love for my children and passion for teaching is all that  is important… I will provide these essential  skills,  safety, and enthusiasm in my classroom  …I will facilitate their learning and love for  learning….

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Posted in Reflections

Reflections on my Teaching…

Posted on by Janis Sexton

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I am quite proud to have been a teacher for almost forty years…

I came to teaching quite by accident…

I always had an interest in the arts; perhaps becoming a fashion designer…

However, overcoming my own challenging childhood, lead me to the realization….I had a tremendous need in helping others….

So, in my senior year of high school, I made the decision to become a social worker, and attend Florida State University, in Tallahassee…

In sharing my decision with an uncle…It was he who suggested, becoming a teacher, because it would better suit me… He believed it was….

A more stable career for a young woman...

Then, following this insight; One particular day that I will never forget, in my senior English class at Miami High School…My favorite, pretty, young teacher, Ms. Kempler, commented that she liked my dress! She said that it reminded her of the University of Florida… It was the University’s colors of “orange and blue“…

Wow, I so appreciated her comment! Back then, not ever feeling noticed … Ms. Kempler noticed me!

Ms. Kempler had gone to the University of Florida; in a town, Gainesville… I had never even heard of before this very moment!!!

Well… my decision becoming a teacher, was made that day in 1966, and go to the University of Florida, just like Ms. Kemper…

Thank you,

Dear Ms Kempler ♥️

And I have never looked back… Becoming a teacher was the most important decision I made to channel my passion for helping…

Teaching our young precious children!!…