Introduction



My name is Jenn Schellenberg and I am a second semester junior at Rider University. I am currently double majoring in elementary education and psychology with a minor in special education. I am involved on campus by being a member of the Student Education Association, Council for Exceptional Children, and Student Entertainment Council. I am also involved with Resident Life on campus by being employed as an office assistant. I have always loved being around children. One of my first experiences dealing with children was at a summer camp, where I was a counselor in training. Fortunately, at my high school I was able to enroll in a preschool laboratory class where I learned about child development, different philosophies of teaching, positive guidance, learning centers, and planning and implementing age appropriate lessons and observations. Having that experience not only helped me grow as a student and realize how much I really enjoyed teaching, but also helped me to see how rewarding this job could truly be. More recently, during the past three summers I have worked at Bright Horizons Family Solutions, where I was an assistant teacher for a preschool class. Being an educator to young children included employing various creative techniques, such as nursery rhymes, educational artwork, and circle time activities to teach lessons. Also, I used storytelling, music, games, and computers to build the students vocabulary. The students learned how to count blocks, mix paint colors, and build structures like bridges, which introduced math. I truly enjoy this job because I love being around the children and watching them grow and improve daily. Additionally, year round I babysit for some of the families whose children were in my class at the day care, along with many of the children in my neighborhood. Also, I have been lucky enough to intern at four school districts since being at Rider University. My sophomore year, I was placed in an inclusive first grade classroom at StonyBrook Elementary School in Hopewell Valley. This experience truly made me feel that I was making the right choice in becoming an educator because I personally saw how being there made a difference in the students lives. My second intern experience was during the first semester of my junior year, where I was placed in a general education third grade classroom at Dutch Neck Elementary School in West Windsor. During this placement, I was able to be a lot more hands on with the students, as well as being able to teach or assist my cooperating teacher with some of her lessons. Currently I am placed in a fourth grade inclusive classroom at Millstone River Elementary School in West Windsor. This has been the first semester in which I have been able to create and implement my own lesson plans. My cooperating teacher has shown me that it is possible to have fun and joke around in the classroom, while also being able to get right back on task and not losing any respect in-between. Also, this semester, I am placed in a seventh and eighth grade classroom with five students who have autism at Mercer County Special Services in Hamilton. There are five non-verbal students in the classroom with one certified teacher, along with three support aids. Having non-verbal students has given me the ability to differentiate and modify my lesson plans. Having four other professionals in the classroom as well, has given me the ability to co-teach in an effective way. Finally, I want to take this time to thank you for taking the time to read this. I am thrilled to once again get out in the field to observe. I look forward to student teaching and eventually obtaining a position teaching either general education students and/or students with special needs from K-5 where differentiated instruction, passion for teaching, and admiration for children will result in a progressive and nurturing learning environment.