The story I wish to tell is about my own growth and self-discovery as a human educator. After many years of questioning my self and reflecting upon ways in which I could positively influence the world around me, I finally was able to concretize those thoughts. Realizing how important Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is to an individual’s overall success in life, I wanted to come up with a method for teaching young children tools that could aid them in their own personal development and set the corner stones for the rest of their lives.
At age 16, during the Summer of 2003, I first began developing and implementing a unique technique I now call Sensory Stimulation and Deprivation (SSD). As an evolving pedagogical method, the SSD techniques in conjunction with developmentally appropiate practices, enhance children’s social and emotional development and foster Creative Intelligence (CI). I first introduced this material at a Teacher’s Training Workshop at The Chopra Center in Carlsbad when I became involved in a Deepak Chopra-sponsored educational project in San Diego called CosmiKids (www.cosmikids.org). There, I worked with Founder and CEO Judy Julin at the Chopra Center as a Trainer, Facilitator, and Curriculum Developer in the initial team. Since then, CosmiKids has opened multiple franchises around California and is rapidly expanding. As part of the Initial Curriculum Developing Team, I trained lead teachers and children in these activities; focusing on perceptual development and integral body movement through poi-ball skills, dancing, and storytelling. Thus promoting hand-eye coordination, left-right brain association and creativity in children through play. Additionally, I have also adapted these lesson plans for Spanish-speaking ESL learners, and continue to expand upon them on a regular basis.
Several years later, in January 2007 I began my formal career and worked for a year-and-a-half with infants and preschoolers at the Early Childhood Lab School at Orange Coast College and at The Harry and Grace Steele Children's Center in Costa Mesa. There I began learning about Emergent Curriculum and was first introduced to elements of the Reggio Emilia Approach. When I moved to San Francisco to complete my undergraduate degree, I worked at the Associated Students Inc. Early Childhood Education Center at San Francisco State University. These experiences reinforced my passion and work with children and I became inspired to delve further into Early Childhood Education and develop my own methods of teaching through PLAY.
During Spring of 2010, I had the honor of interning at Cow Hollow School (www.cowhollowschool.org), one of the most phenomenal early childhood educations centers, where I worked side-by-side with children, families, educators, and pioneers in the field. Cow Hollow’s mission emphasizes a child-centered, rich inquiry- and play-based curriculum based on the principles of the Reggio Approach. They integrate global, ecological, multicultural perspectives in their daily emergent curriculum and relationships with children, and I have learned and grown much personally and professionally from that experience. I deeply treasure the time I have spent there, and am inspired by the work Director Darcy Campbell and the Cow Hollow team members have created within the school and community.
Now that I have completed a Bachelors’ Degree at San Francisco State University in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on the Young Child and Family, I am looking forward to making a positive and significant impact in the educational system, as an advocate and voice for ALL children. In the future I envision opening alternative schools around the world that will focus on celebrating and nurturing children’s individual needs and diversity so that they can learn to follow their dreams with an open heart and explore all the beauty this world has to offer.
 |
| Escuela Rural #44. Punta Negra, Uruguay. 2012. |
Several years later, in January 2007 I began my formal career and worked for a year-and-a-half with infants and preschoolers at the Early Childhood Lab School at Orange Coast College and at The Harry and Grace Steele Children's Center in Costa Mesa. There I began learning about Emergent Curriculum and was first introduced to elements of the Reggio Emilia Approach. When I moved to San Francisco to complete my undergraduate degree, I worked at the Associated Students Inc. Early Childhood Education Center at San Francisco State University. These experiences reinforced my passion and work with children and I became inspired to delve further into Early Childhood Education and develop my own methods of teaching through PLAY.
During Spring of 2010, I had the honor of interning at Cow Hollow School (www.cowhollowschool.org), one of the most phenomenal early childhood educations centers, where I worked side-by-side with children, families, educators, and pioneers in the field. Cow Hollow’s mission emphasizes a child-centered, rich inquiry- and play-based curriculum based on the principles of the Reggio Approach. They integrate global, ecological, multicultural perspectives in their daily emergent curriculum and relationships with children, and I have learned and grown much personally and professionally from that experience. I deeply treasure the time I have spent there, and am inspired by the work Director Darcy Campbell and the Cow Hollow team members have created within the school and community.
Now that I have completed a Bachelors’ Degree at San Francisco State University in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on the Young Child and Family, I am looking forward to making a positive and significant impact in the educational system, as an advocate and voice for ALL children. In the future I envision opening alternative schools around the world that will focus on celebrating and nurturing children’s individual needs and diversity so that they can learn to follow their dreams with an open heart and explore all the beauty this world has to offer.
