Emaleigh Carter

Responsibilities

During my internship, my responsibilities included working with the lead teacher to create an activties based calendar based on the Ascend curriculum. I worked behind my lead as a co teacher but also helped implement expectations, new learning activities, and friendships. I worked one on one with the children in my classroom to provide a safe space to learn, grow, and be themselves all while providing an exceptional educational experience before entering kindergarten.

Accomplishments

I was thoroughly pleased with my communication with my team through the semester. I have always struggled with being able to communicate my wants and needs in the work place. My supervisor helped me open up and know that it was great to be able to communicate the things that mattered the most to me without getting criticized.

Learning experience

The greatest lesson I learned from my internship was the fact that it's so important to get to know each child differently and identify what their needs are, what their triggers are, what makes them happy, what they don't like, etc. When you get to this level with the children in your class, it makes your bond so much more special. Not only this, but it provides a great sense of safety and comfortability which every child deserves.

What advice would you give?

One thing that really helped me were some words from Jen. It was to essentially use your internship experience to test the waters. Obviously chose your internship that you could really see yourself doing but if you end your experience knowing that it might not be path you want to take, it's okay.