When I was growing up, I really loved playing school. My friends and I would take turns being the teache,r and we would do this for hours. So, I knew from then on that I wanted to be a teacher. I would set my bedroom up as a classroom and all my dogs, cats and dolls were the students. I knew that I was and would be the best teacher ever. My sister, mom and brother were in the field, so I also got to assist in their rooms and help out during my free time. I thought I was pretty cool and, at times, probably took the role a bit too seriously.

All these experiences were the foundation that led me to becoming a teacher. There were some teachers that made such a difference in my life, and I wanted to do the same for kids when I grew up. My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Hooker, helped me to enjoy reading, and Mr. Acheves made science and math exciting subjects for me in the sixth grade. Teaching was the profession for me, and I was going to do everything I could to be the best.

My first true paying experience began in my early 20’s in La Jolla CA. My girlfriend’s classroom needed an aide, and the job was mine if I wanted it. That was the beginning of a 5 year partnership; working with 5-year-olds was a fulfilling and amazing experience. However, I saw all the paper work and tasks that were required of teachers and it made me a bit timid about what I would have to do to become a teacher. So, I choose to stay an aide for many years. That was very satisfying for me at that stage in my life. I was still young and had plenty of time to make that big jump of going to college.

This job eventually worked itself into a position of teaching E.S.L., English as a Second Language for grades K-4th. It was challenging and rewarding working with children that had limited use of the English language. I was forced to use so many different skills,and rely on my past experience to help these children to become successful learners. In order to reach through the language barrier I discovered I had to be a good actress. I used many different props to encourage the children to understand and grasp the English language. Field trips were incorporated into our program because we found they were able to relate to things that they already knew in their own language.

Being creative and thinking on my feet were so critical at times not to mention how difficult. The smiles and hugs we shared daily were a constant reminder to me that it may not seem like we are making much progress with language but a true trusting friendship was growing. You always learn through that don’t we? I realized to be the teacher I wanted to be I had to wear so many hats throughout the day. I was the teacher, nurse, artist, therapist, librarian, friend, caterer, daily planner, police person, referee, organizer, and clown, jester, with the list going on and on. Walking into your classroom every day and seeing those smiling little faces and unconditional love was the greatest reward.

I decided to leave San Diego and moved here to Seattle. I was ready to make some changes in my life and be on my own. I was tired of all the sun and thought the Northwest sounded like the place. Finally I had some really good friends up here I wanted to be with and that could give me support in finding a job or returning to school. I was unable to get a position that was similar to the one in La Jolla because I lacked the teaching degree. However, there were plenty of positions for preschool teachers, and I thought what the heck. The positions were so plentiful because of the poor wages and work conditions. In spite of all that I still applied for the position and I got the job.

I thought this was going to be a breeze for me because of all the experience I’ve accumulated over the past years. What a surprise! These little people were so different from the ones I taught before. It had nothing to do with the language barrier. It was that they were at a different development level than I was familiar with or even understood. I tried all I knew and saw that some things worked and others just seemed to blow up in my face. My director liked my enthusiasm and dedication, however, she thought some classes would improve my skills and give me a new foundation to how the children, ages 3-5, learned.

Yikes! School.

Now I was faced returning to school and getting some further education under my belt. I was reluctant at first of going back to school at my age (44). I decided that baby steps would be the best way to begin. I started with some seminars and enjoyed the knowledge I gained. At one of the conferences I met Bev Bos. She blew my socks off with her energy and knowledge of what children needed to learn at that age 3-5. I got all her books and started to implement the ideas into my classroom and noticed a change right away in the children’s increased desire to explore. The little person in me said “Go Pati this is the path you have always dreamed about.”

At that point I inquired about how to go about getting a degree in Early Childhood. North Seattle came highly recommended and specifically, a teacher by the name of Tom Drummond. My fear set in again regarding the return to school. The next thing I knew I had enrolled in college. The first day while walking onto campus all I could focus on was how young everyone looked around me. My stomach got shaky and then all the self doubt crept in. However my feet kept moving toward my classroom. I opened the door and walked in, and to my relief there was a very diverse group in the room. I took a seat, still a bit shaken.

Tom Drummond entered the room front and center. He talked about the class and shared some of his experiences and what to expect from our profession. My nerves settled some but I was still wondering “Is this the right decision?” He asked us all to answer what we expected to get from his class and why we were taking the class. The answers flowed around the room and then it was my turn. “I want to be the best educator, because I love being with children. I feel I have something to offer each one. In order to achieve my goals I must become better educated.”

I said it out loud! It was now in the universe, and I was taking steps to improve my life and hone my skills to better teach the children I would come in contact throughout my life.

I am now completing the final courses that will earn me my degree, and I must say it has been a long haul since it began in 1997. In the Classroom Research course that I am currently taking, Ms. Daniel demonstrated how a teacher can make it possible for others to “see” learning through documentation, when developmentally appropriate teaching occurs in the classroom.

The skills that I have learned through my classes at North have been the best gift to me. I have been able to put into action all the new education I have achieved. I feel confident that they are the right tools I needed to give the children an environment that is safe and a loving place to learn. As a result of this learning I am now able to provide the kids the opportunities to develop positive dispositions toward learning. I am making education a fun place to be, to explore. I trust in children and want to be part of them gaining the confidence to be great adults. To be part of their learning to problem solve, communicate, and negotiate for themselves, learn about humor, and to work together as a community to make this world a wonderful place to be.

I owe many thanks to Tom Drummond and Ms. Daniels for sharing with me their knowledge. I love my work and feel so lucky that I can truly say from the bottom of my heart: lucky is a person whose job is their hobby. Every day I work, I get unconditional love and smiles daily that tell me “Hey, Pati we are glad you are here today and in our lives.”

Pati Meyer
January 2004