hello!
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My name is Meghan Hesterman (she/her), and I am a white anti-bias and anti-racist child advocate, future educator, and blogger. I am a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) where I study early childhood education, special education, and Spanish.
Through this blog, I hope to spread awareness and share resources on the importance of education, early childhood, and high-quality education for teachers.* *Please note that I am not a professional nor have a degree. I am posting reliable research that I have gathered from my courses as a college student. I am still learning and growing within my anti racist and anti bias work and development. |
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a little about meI have dreamed about becoming a teacher since I was in elementary school. I looked up to my elementary school teachers as leaders, teachers, and people, and I hope that I could be that model for other children.
I began working in an educational setting in the summer of 2016 as an assistant camp counselor. I worked with groups of energetic preschoolers and elementary schoolers at the Minnesota Zoo and watched their curiosity bloom as they learned about animals. My years volunteering as a "ZooTeen" made me aware of my dedication to working with young children. When I was sixteen, I applied to work as an early childhood paraprofessional. For the next two summers, I worked in a variety of preschool settings (general and special education). This job provided me with an authentic, hands-on glimpse into a career in education. My time spent working with preschoolers and toddlers gave me the experience I needed before going to college. While working toward my undergraduate degree, I have completed field experience in a toddler, integrated preschool, and special education settings. I assisted the teacher with daily tasks, facilitated small groups, observed the teacher's interactions with students, and gained more hands-on experience in a classroom. Outside of the classroom, I created the blog and its social media platforms and volunteered as a Spanish intern for Outreach360. I currently serve on the boards of my university's Antiracist Literacy Advisory Board (A-LAB). This fall, I am splitting my student teaching experience between Duluth, Minnesota and Zagreb, Croatia! Although I am not a professional, I hope that my experiences will help you understand the importance of education and the urgent need for change in our current education system. To learn more about me and my experiences, click the button below to explore my other publications. |
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About the Blog
This blog is a platform of advocacy, acceptance, and inclusion.
More specifically, this blog is a platform I am using to share content on important educational issues and topics and my journey in becoming a teacher.
Why did you choose education as the topic for your blog?
Education affects all of us. It shapes our personality, career path, interests, intelligence, and our success. Education is a human right, so we should have the right to learn about topics related to education. These could include. . .
By shedding light on these topics, I hope to spread awareness and call legislators, administrators, teachers, and the public to action. Education is often shoved under the rug in the political arena, but our education predicts our success in later life. The more we know, the more power we have, and the more we can change.
To learn more about this blog, read the "Intro to my Blog" post.
Why am I sharing my experiences?
It is important for the public to know what it takes to become a teacher because like doctors, lawyers, surgeons, or other necessary professions, teachers are essential for society to function and to be successful. Also, teaching is hard work, and it takes years of education, certification, training, and practice to be a successful teacher. So, I will be sharing my unique journey with all of you to show one path to a career in education.
How can you get in touch with me?
I am available through social media, email, and contact form. To receive a quick response, please fill out a contact form or contact me via email. I am also available for messaging on Facebook or Instagram. I have provided links to the contact form and Journal of a Future Teacher's social media platforms below.
More specifically, this blog is a platform I am using to share content on important educational issues and topics and my journey in becoming a teacher.
Why did you choose education as the topic for your blog?
Education affects all of us. It shapes our personality, career path, interests, intelligence, and our success. Education is a human right, so we should have the right to learn about topics related to education. These could include. . .
- Child development
- Teacher and teacher candidate mental health
- How schools can support children
- The realities and issues of the U.S. school system
- And many more!
By shedding light on these topics, I hope to spread awareness and call legislators, administrators, teachers, and the public to action. Education is often shoved under the rug in the political arena, but our education predicts our success in later life. The more we know, the more power we have, and the more we can change.
To learn more about this blog, read the "Intro to my Blog" post.
Why am I sharing my experiences?
It is important for the public to know what it takes to become a teacher because like doctors, lawyers, surgeons, or other necessary professions, teachers are essential for society to function and to be successful. Also, teaching is hard work, and it takes years of education, certification, training, and practice to be a successful teacher. So, I will be sharing my unique journey with all of you to show one path to a career in education.
How can you get in touch with me?
I am available through social media, email, and contact form. To receive a quick response, please fill out a contact form or contact me via email. I am also available for messaging on Facebook or Instagram. I have provided links to the contact form and Journal of a Future Teacher's social media platforms below.
