Team Member Bio: Amber Fitzgerald, Kaitlyn Aube & Trista Roussin

Name:Amber Fitzgerald 

Age: 19

Year: Sophomore 

Major: English with Secondary Licensure 

Hometown: Alburgh, Vermont 

"I want to be a teacher because I believe in a successful education for all students. Using my personal experiences in a public school system, coursework at Johnson State College, and volunteerism throughout various local schools and work-sites, I hope to not only share my passion for the English arts, but also advocate on my students' behalves, ensuring a successful education throughout differentiated personalities  and lives." 

 

Name: Kaitlyn Aube

Age: 20

Year: Sophomore 

Major: Childhood Education with a focus in Psychologhy 

Hometown: Charlotte, Vermont

"I want to be a teacher because I believe that every student has what it takes to be successful given a teacher who believes in every single student. A teacher needs to advocate for those who can not advocate for themselves. I will use my experiences as a child in a classroom, and the experience and knowledge I have gained from being at Johnson State College to help all students be successful in their education. I hope to work collaboratively with faculty and parents to ensure that all students are getting what they need to mature and grow into adults." 

Name:Trista Roussin
Age: 20
Year: Junior
Major: Childhood education with a concentration in math
Hometown: Milton, Vermont
"I want to be a  teacher because I think that kids are the most important people in the world; I think that kids hold the future and it is important to teach them what they can achieve with an education. So far through Johnson State College I have had the opportunity to work in a kindergarten classroom, as well as volunteer at a community center. I want to work with younger kids because they are simply amazing."
 

Teachers for Students Logo

Colleagueship:
Principle 11: "The educator works as a team member and establishes collaboriative relationships with school colleagues, parents, agencies, and others in the broader community to support students' learning and well-being and to implement the schools goals and articulate curriculum."

Advocacy:
Principle 12: "The educator recognizes multiple influences on students inside and outside the school and accesses appropriate systems of support for schools."

In other words advocacy means that teachers should be the voice for students who can't advocate for themselves. An example would be if a student doesn't have a snack, a teacher could keep snacks in a drawer for their students.

Colleagueship is being able to work with co-workers to ensure that the students have the best learning experience they possibly can. It also means being able to work with parents, and the school system to make sure that students have the support they need to learn.

Our team motto is: Education is not about the teacher; it's about the students.

Our team shared belief statement is:
Teaching is about the students, not the teacher. Students should be taught to make choices based on fact and their own opinion. Teachers should be advocates for student needs.

The connection between teaching toward democracy and teaching is that you are teaching the students not only what to learn, but how to learn as well. The connection between teaching toward democracy and student learning is that student choice is incorporated in the curriculum and lessons. The purpose of teaching toward a democracy is giving students the ability to make choices, and also advocating for students for students who cannot advocate for themselves. 

The role students need to assume to make this possible is open- minded, respectful, attentive, and responsible.
The role teachers need to assume to make this possible is to work as a team with both parents and other teachers in order to advocate for students, open- minded, ethnocentric, and they need to embrace multiculturalism. 
The role of the community and place in the school experience of children and families is that the teachers, community, child and families work together to provide a safe and rich learning environment.

Team norms: 
How do we support each other?
Stay positive
Encouragement
Offer advice when asked or needed
Respect each other

What do we do when we have problems/ conflicts?
Talk it out
Listen to each other
Be open to different opinions/ suggestions
Compromise when needed

What are my responsibilities to the team?
Stay on task
Contribute
Communicate
Do what you say you will do
Don't try to be in charge/ work as a team

If things aren't going well what do I do?
Respectfully share opinion
Be considerate 
Try to find a solution as a team