This teaching portfolio was done to reflect on all the experiences of practicum I have had since starting my journey in early childhood education at SUSS. Before coming to SUSS, I had no prior experiences of working with children. Looking back at my experience in Year 1, I am proud to say that I have taken great leaps of progression since then. My knowledge, skills and strategies in early childhood education have vastly improved as my eyes were opened from the practicum experiences. With the help of supervisors from SUSS and at the centers, I felt supported in reaching out to greater heights in innovating exciting, new and challenging ways to enhance curriculum in the classroom. I wanted learning to be fun as well as developmentally appropriate for children. From my personal perspective, being an educator does not mean relaying information to children and expecting them to only listen. Instead, educators and children should go hand-in-hand when constructing knowledge. It is a two way connection where the educator learns in becoming a better teacher for children.

My passion for early childhood education has blossomed since my first year at SUSS. It is fascinating watching children learn and grow with each passing day. One week, they might not be able to tie their shoe but by the next, they had figured it out. Children are amazing at taking the prior experiences and integrating new knowledge everyday. In moments while teaching the children I sometimes think to myself, "One day, these children will walk out into the world and face the future. They may not remember me or how I helped them in their fundamental learning. But until that time comes, I hope I make an impact on them now." That, I realized, was the gift I want children to receive from me as an educator. I wanted to prepare them for the world, to take on new journeys with positive dispositions and a love for learning. I wanted any lessons or interactions, no matter how small it may seem, to have meaning towards the children. Meaning towards the learning, growth, dispositions... There's so much in early childhood that comes as a teachable moment. Reflecting on this in the document made me grateful that I could be in this field and continue working towards becoming a full-fledged early childhood educator.