Teaching Elementary school What type of job are you looking for? Teaching What nationality are you? American What languages do you speak (and at what level)? Some French and spanish What country or area are you looking to work in and why? Dominica because it is beautiful and the people are smart and interesting. I also enjoy the fact that they government supports ecological wildlife. What countries have you worked in? America What field do you currently work in? Education. I am a special education teacher and have taught preschool through sixth grade. I have also worked as an ESL teacher. What fields have you worked in before? I have worked primarily as a school teacher in Brooklyn, NY for most of my career. In that I have workied in Montessori schools, Public schools and as a college professor in a Learning Disabilities Graduate Program. What qualifications do you hold? I have a Masters in Learning Disabilities and a BA In special and general Education. Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Both are extremely valuable. I have learned so much from the populations I have worked with. However without the academic knowledge I feel I would have less to offer the students I have worked with. The combination allows a more fertile mind and an awareness of more recent research that guides new practices. Describe the benefits of working with others I currently work in a collaborative classroom and share responsibility with my co-teacher. This allows me to learn from watching her as well as discussing the students to determine the best approaches. Working with others is always an opportunity to learn more about yourself as well as learn from the talents other have. Describe the benefits of working alone In some circumstances working alone can be more productive. At times less discussion in necessary and more effort needs to go into completing or concentrating on the task rather then spending time talking about it. What was your worst working experience? I was a horrible waitress in my teenage years and did not enjoy working in a restaurant. I think it was a good learning experience but would not want to do it again. I have had other challenging experiences as a teacher but feel that those experiences have given skills I would never have learned at school. What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? I have learned that being a good listener is that most important thing. This is true with children, parents and college students. What unique skills do you have? I have a natural inclination to notice the emotional lives of people and support them in making changes productively. I love computers and can figure out how to do most things quickly. Probably the most helpful skill I have is that I am generally optimistic and never give up. What would you consider as your 'dream job'? I would love to work in a school that supports the wildlife around ( and is surrounded by beautiful jungles and beaches) and integrates that into the curriculum effectively. I would love to work someplace that has a frog population as well. What are the most interesting aspects of your field? I think the most interesting aspect in education is the broadening understanding of special education and the research that is looking at brain function and how we can apply this to newer ways of teaching students. What are the least interesting aspects of your field? In the field of education in the US much of the emphasis is on state and federal testing and that can be quite dry. I am optimistic that at some point these test will be aligned more effectively with curriculum and become a teaching tool but at the moment they not an effective measurement tool. How can potential employers contact you? Please Contact me @ melanie.mciver@gmail.com | 
