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 About Me   My name is Jennifer Peraino. I live in Flint, Michigan with my and two ADORABLE cats. As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education. I now am the Education Director at the Sylvan Learning Center  in Flint, where I have the privilege to help students succeed in a nontraditional setting. Please continue to read below to understand a little more about me. Shaping of How I Teach

 A great author once wrote, “All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is a direct result of his own thoughts” (Allen, James; //As A Man Thinketh//). I believe this to be the root of every person’s success or failure. Looking back through the years, there have been many role models that have affected my educational path. Some good, some bad, but they all have made me a better educator.

 To further explain, I have to start at the beginning. My first grade teacher set the foundation for my attitude towards education. The class was taught by a lady that expressed her **__dislikes__ **for me. I recall her making snide remarks under her breath or berating me in front of the other students. I hardly learned anything that year, especially basic phonics or writing skills that are the starting point of a person’s education. Due to her lack of professionalism, I was left with feelings that I was never going to be a good academic student. She taught me how not to be a teacher that year; compassion and empathy is a stronger motivator.  The rest of my schooling was difficult because I was a smart student, but had poor reading skills. I refused to let anyone know. My mother, bless her, would help me write papers and help with my homework whenever I needed her to. My mother communicated through her actions that a helpful encouragement can impact someone more then anticipated.

 I actually did not enjoy learning until my senior year in college because of my lack of reading abilities. During that year I took some of my method courses. My children’s literature and other professors were enlightening with their passion for literature and teaching. They inadvertently helped me to realize that I can just learn the information that I was missing as a child now as an adult rather then focusing on the fact that I was a poor reader. I learned the benefits of multifaceted teaching from them, but more importantly, I was aware of my learning styles. My teaching philosophy reflects hands-on and engaging learning.  After graduation, I still looked for ways to improve my reading and writing, the source of my struggle. With my new found “I can” attitude I sought out a job that would supply resources to aid in my learning. My current job requires me to teach reading and writing to students at the Sylvan Learning Center. I chose this job because I knew that it would force me to learn the reading skills I did not already possess. The first few months I was astonished by the amount that I did not know or remember. I look at words differently now that I understand the rules of the English language. It is ironic how learning to read changes how you think about reading and learning.

 My struggle, although based on some negative experiences at the beginning, has prepared me to relate to the students I now teach. I know what it feels like struggling to comprehend, to try to mask my inadequate reading abilities with coping skills, all the while trying to prove my intelligence. Throughout school, I learned many coping skills to hide my inadequacies. I do not hide my abilities anymore; I proudly look at them as a blessing. They have shaped my views on teaching and on learning. I believe that if I share my learning experience with my students through compassion, empathy, and respectful teaching, I can change their personal image as a learner, so that they can become a productive, literate person. I take heart in the ending lines of //As A Man Thinketh//, and try to empower my students to learn.

 Allen writes, Tempest-tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this - in the ocean of life the isles of Blessedness are smiling, and sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding Master; He does but sleep; wake Him. Self-control is strength; Right Thought is mastery; Calmness is power.