Sarah

_{^{Miss. Sarah Mandziara}}

_{^{Pre
service Elementary Teacher}

^{Elmhurst College}

^{190 Prospect Ave}

^{Elmhurst Il. 60126}}

My Teaching Philosophy

    The reason I want to become a teacher was because all of the activities in my life that were really meaningful to me included children and teachers. I want to be part of helping children grow on a permanent basis. I love the way wonder fills the eyes of children while they are learning. When I see the way they smile at me, and the bonds I create, I think of the way my teachers made me feel, and they changed my life. If I can make one child believe in himself and fill their mind and their heart with dreams and goals, the way my teachers did for me, I would be satisfied. My goal of course, is to touch them all and help them grow in whatever way they need. I work closely with many teachers through my job at the library. Observing the dedication, perseverance, patience, and care these people show on a daily basis has truly motivated me to choose this path. I want children to look at me with wonder and enthusiasm in their eyes. I want to make a difference in my students lives day after day. I want to create a world where they feel they can do anything, like my teachers have done for me, and still do everyday.

    I have worked at the Bensenville Library for many years, working with students of all ages utalizing the technological resources in the library. From digital cameras to family tree creaters I have tried it all. Technology is fun and interesting to our students. The internet is a another world of resources and new and interesting facts for students to use for reports and other activities. I encourage you to find out if your local library offers any technology classes where you can learn to utilize the internet and other technology to your greatest advantage in the classroom!

    Literacy can often be hard when there is a language barrier present. Even in the youngest of children this can be overcome. I worked with a group ofyoung students and their families this past summer on a family literacy grant. Three days a week the families would come to the library and we learned about bugs! We went on bug hunts and read bug book, even though they were not fluent in the english language we made the stories animated and easy to understand. The program helped both the child and the parents to understand the importance of reading inside and outside of the home.

I truly enjoy working with children of all ages from pre-schoolers to junior high kids I have been involved in
endless programs urging the importance of reading and technology.