Early childhood education: A student teacher's words of wisdom for up-and-coming student teachers

Published: December 07, 2021

Theres no shortage of insights about preschoolers:

Play is the highest form of research, said Albert Einstein.

Children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work, said C.S. Lewis.

For children, play is serious learning, said Mr. Rogers.

After spending 40 hours a week working with preschoolers this semester, student teacher Emily Koberlein 21 (at left) might add an insight or two of her own to the mix. Her experience teaching in Bond Countys Kindergarten Readiness Program exceeded her expectations.

I can truly say without a doubt that God has called me into this profession, she said at the end of her teaching assignment.

She offers these reminders to the next student teacher at KRP to open a Play-Doh container, break out the blocks, and commiserate with a child over a bandaged finger.

Three- and four-year-olds explore their worlds with full tanks of energy and emotion. For many, social skills like taking turns, sharing, sitting when its time to sit, and listening are entirely new.

There are so many things that I admire about my host teacher, but mainly [I admire] her ability to redirect and handle behaviors with ease, said Emily.

Emily learned that a sound management plan required building relationships with her preschoolers. By semesters end, she was able to better identify the needs of my studentsand how to better support them when a behaviorarises.

Emily recalled a day when a particular child struggled to focus.

I used all the tools in my toolbox to try and handle the situation on my own, she recalled. My host teacher ended up stepping in and assisting me with the child. . . [I] felt like I had failed.

But the wise teacher later circled back to the incident and reminded Emily that there will always be situations that leave you stumped and feeling like you have reached the end of your rope.

She also reminded me that it's okay to ask for help and to never feel discouraged when you are doing all you can do.

Emily learned to cultivate awareness that went beyond the classroom for ways to help her students thrive. Sometimes this meant considering the childs family situation and the support the family rendered; sometimes it meant taking stock of mental and emotional health.

Over and again, the top-quality attention KRP teachers gave to their students impressed Emily. She participated with them in delivering what she describes as high quality early childhood education with an immense amount of support from staff . . . they care deeply.

Emily recalled struggling to connect with a particular student. She said, After many weeks oftrial and error, the student uttered three words, I love you, that made me feel like this is where I belong and solidified my purpose here on earth.

The good days outweighed the tough days by far for Emily. There is no better feeling than when your students run up to give you a hug or tell you that you're their friend, she said. These small moments make every hard day worth it.

Inspirational posters about teaching preschool often bear this sentiment: It takes a big heart to shape little minds. But, if student teaching revealed anything to Emily, its that little people can make a teachers heart bigger.

Learn more about GUs early childhood education major here.