Mrs. Heather Concannon
Preservice Elementary School Teacher
190 Prospect
Elmhurst, Illinois
60126
Currently I hold a B.S. in Sociology and am working to obtain my teacher certificate in Elementary Education. I also intend to have endorsements in both liberal arts and social science.
Ideally, I believe in very hands-on/experimental learning. I believe students learn best when the prescribed curriculum incorporates real life situations. According to Piaget's theories of developement, as children's learning expands the environment plays a critical role. The richer the environment, the more concrete opportunities there are for children to learn by interacting with materials and people. I believe the teacher's role is to create an environment that invites children to observe, to be active, to make choices, and to experiment.
It is my wish to provide students with a learning environment that accomodates diversity. In the classroom, I would like each student to know that although we all have our differences, we are also alike. I want students to recognize and have pride in their own, and each others, heritage, race, gender, and/or disability. Hopefully, in a classroom that has a commitment to diversity, students learn from each others differences and even celebrate them.
I also believe cooperative groups are an ideal way to further facilitate student learning. Instead of the traditional mode of teaching by lecturing, students have the option of coming together, as a group, to complete a project or task. The students have the opportunity to learn from one another and assume various roles and responsibilities with in the group. In emphasizing activities that require social interaction and group partcipation no student feels left out or like they do not belong. Most of all I want all students to feel welcome in the classroom and that it is a safe and nurturing place to learn.
As a mother of five, who has experience in a classroom, and who is currently
an Elmhurst College student, I feel that I am extremely qualified, ready,
and excited to become a first year teacher!
Visit some of my favorite sites!
Elmhurst College Library Page