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I remember my elementary school years, more specifically second grade. I had a teacher who made math so fun for me! We would take multiplication table quizes and would win a little price if we finished on time. Not only were we learning our multiplication facts but we were having fun while learning.

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I went to school for the entirety of my PK-12 education in the same small and tight-knit community in Alaska. I feel that community played a large role in my early educational experiences because my family knew many of the teachers and other families prior. Although my single mother had a good rapport with the teachers, there were still barriers to her participation in the classroom and my education. At my schools there were always opportunities for parents to come in and volunteer for various field trips or "Popcorn Fridays". My mom and grandparents were my primary care-givers in my childhood and it was difficult for them to volunteer at school activities because they were running our family-owned business. I was lucky enough that my mom would take time off work and come to chaperone field trips at least once a year. Looking back, I feel that my mom made it a point to volunteer every year because of the pressure surrounding physical in-person participation by parents. I believe that our community created an environment where all of the "good parents" could be seen in the Parent Teacher Association or volunteering every Friday during Popcorn Fridays. In reality, many parents are working tirelessly to support their families behind the scenes and to give their children opportunities they never had.

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Growing up my mom was a single mom who did not have much help with me when it came to my schooling. I remember for any event I knew that there was not a chance my mom was going to make it. Typically, this would seem like a pretty sad thing for a child- although my mom always was aware of my events and reassured me that I was loved, and if there was even the slightest chance of her being able to make it she would. As I got older there was a lot more parents involved with being "classroom parents" and my mom was just never able to contribute in that aspect because of how much she worked, I remember on parent- teacher conferences my mom would beg my teachers for any availability past 6pm because that's when she would get off. As I got older and realized I wanted to be a teacher, my mom had the conversation with me on how she constantly felt belittled by my teachers for not being able to be "present" in events or school meetings. That even classroom parents made her feel unwelcome and it was never the best experience for her.

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From what I can remember my experience in early childhood was a really positive one. I remember from the grades of k-2nd grade I had the same teacher his name was Mr.Campos. He was the best teacher anyone could possibly have. He would always make sure that when we needed extra help he would help us and continue to help us until we were proficient, he was also super communicative with the parents as well. I remember when I was having trouble with my assignments he made sure to communicate that with my parents and sent them home with some ideas on how to teach me how to do the work with me. He was also very carrying towards us, there was this time where I had to get surgery and he showed up to school with a chocolate cake and a card to wish me good luck in the hospital. Overall he was a great teacher who really loved his job and really made an impact in the lives of everyone he’s taught in his many years of teaching.

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My experience in early education was so positive that it created my dream of becoming a teacher. My elementary school years were some of the most formative times of my life. I was lucky enough to go to school in Topanga Canyon, a small community where my classes were around 16-18 kids. We were encouraged to interact with the nature that surrounded us and even had class outside some days. It opened my eyes to how learning was all around us! It didn't need to be only in a classroom, sitting at a desk and doing busy work. This experience shaped my whole idea of learning. These years made me want to share these lessons with the future generation. I feel very lucky to continue my career as a 2nd-grade aide at that same school. My mom was very involved in the school. Since we were a charter school, the parents were able to have a lot of say in what was to happen on the campus. She was the vice president of TEP or "Topanga Enrichment Programs" and helped hire a couple of teachers. Her love for the school made me love the school even more. It makes a huge difference if the parents are open and willing to involve themselves in the community. Overall, I would say my early education experiences were filled with love, positivity, and new experiences. I look forward to sharing my wonderful memories and lessons with my future classroom.

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My experience during early education was for the most part positive. My earliest memory that I will always cherish was in kindergarten- my teacher had a huge monkey stuffy named "Bono" that each child would take home for the weekend and write what we did with Bono on a classroom journal. An experience that wasn't the best was when I got stung by a bee and I was telling teacher it was hurting really bad and she did not acknowledge me at all. As an educator I would never ignore the students when they get hurt. So I learned from that experience on what not to do when I become a teacher.

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I came to this country from Mexico when I was 2 1/2 years old. I did not attend preschool and my very first experienced with school was in Kindergarten. I feel warmth and happiness when I think back to that time in my life. I remember the song, De Colores and it sums up Kindergarten for me. I feel comfortable at McKinley because everyone spoke Spanish and a lot of my friends looked like me. For 1st & 2nd grade we moved around so I attended a school that only brings sad and painful memories. I did not speak English at this age so I was picked on and bullyed for this reason. I also felt like I did not connect with the teachers and staff at Harding School. Moving back to McKinley for 3rd-5th was the best thing that could ever happened to me. The Teachers changed my life completely and school became my happy place again. It was then when I valued teachers, my education and the importance of belonging. For a full circle moment, my husband now teaches at McKinley and going back every time I get filled my heart with joy. At Mckinley we are the Mcinley Bears!

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I have always had a positive experience with my teachers; at the very least until high school. During my early education, I went to a school that really supported dual language learners and prioritized equity. The teachers were very intentional with their lessons and made an effort to include the families in the classroom. My mom felt welcomed and would be encouraged to help out with school events such as gardening activities, culture nights, and more. The efforts did not go unnoticed and made me motivated to go to school.

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My experience in early education was one of positivity. Reminiscing back, I just know that all the teachers I had in the past were very communicative with my parents. Throughout life, I had teachers who were very invested and others who weren't as invested in their students. Despite this, they were always usually positive. They were always nurturing in interaction and were good role models for myself. I know that I had specific teachers who were outliers and did their job to the fullest and at the most optimal level because I can pick them out to this day. Those teachers really made an impact and I hold them near and dear to myself. Apart from my parents and family I can definitely say that the teachers that I had played a huge factor in the way that I am today and I commend them for being extensive in their work.

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From what I can remember my early childhood experience was really good in school. I remember having really nurturing early childhood teachers that pushed me to do my best. I always remember my teachers as kind and sweet teachers. My experience with my family in early education was they tried to be involved as best they could but they couldn’t always since my teachers spoke only English . I remember for the most part the all my early childhood teachers only spoke English so my parents couldn’t really communicate with them. Overall I could say my early childhood education experience was vey positive because I had caring adults.

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From what I can remember my early childhood experience was positive. For the most part all my teachers were nice and helpful I still remember a teacher and I will never forget her because she pushed me and motivated me when I would struggle and she never gave up on me. Another teacher that I will not forget about was not the best as she would not help the students and instead would yell at us and make us cry and I don't know why she was allowed to be a teacher but eventually she retired. My parents were not involve as much with my schooling because they had to work and once I started getting older I was able to understand why but when I was little I didn't understand all the sacrifices they had to make.

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I had to think for quite awhile to be able to answer this topic. Although I do have some positive memories about my elementary school years I have a hard time remembering any that involved learning. I would say that when it came to school work I had a negative experience due to my family being able to speak English as a second language and could not really help me with my homework. I remember one instance where I needed help with a math assignment and I got frustrated because my dad and also my aunt were helping me but they would solve the equations in a different way than what I was showed at school. Now I look back and think that if I was a teacher I would accept that. I'm sure my teacher was okay with it back then but I don't really remember. Ultimately I feel like doing schoolwork was hard due to my family not really understanding how to help me.

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What I remember from my early childhood experience was that my parents were not very involved my teachers k-5 only spoke English except Ms. Ramirez, my 1st grade. My parents would attend conferences and my older sister was the translator. I can’t remember if our homework or papers that were sent home were Spanish and English. But my sister was the one responsible for that. I can say that my parents tried. I think if the teachers had a translator they would have been more involved.

Norma Velasco

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I worked as a teacher's assistant for six months and was open to receiving feedback to learn and implement different teaching strategies. For me, it was challenging the rules in private school vs. public school. That is a positive way to take it because I can learn different strategies to help each child. Also, I can determine where I can start to find a job if I start private school or public school got the idea where to start.

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I honestly don't remember much from my early years in education, I mostly just remember how shy and quiet I felt at school. I didn't open up to teachers and my classmates until probably late middle school. One memory I do have that I really loved is the jog-a-thons we had at my elementary school every year. This was an event that I really looked forward to. I also really enjoyed the plays we did every year starting in kindergarten.

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My ECE experience when I was in preschool versus starting elementary school was very different. My mom was highly involved in my preschool years. There were many opportunities for parents to come in and help by serving breakfast, supervise, or help with an activity. They also held rewards night and my mom got a prize for helping out the most. Luckily my teacher spoke Spanish which allowed my mom to be comfortable in the space. Starting elementary parents were only at school for events such as science fair or for field trips. I don't remember ever seeing parents actually in the classroom. I know my mom involved herself less when teachers didn't speak English because she was afraid of the language barrier.

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My early school experience was difficult. I was a Spanish only speaker and some of my teachers did not have the patience in waiting for me to convert English questions to Spanish in my brain and then convert Spanish words to answer in English. I became the quiet child who doesn't cause any trouble and just sits in the midst of chaos.

My parents believed that teachers only talk to parents when there is a problem. Neither my teachers nor my parents reached out to each other for any other purpose.

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I have a lot of amazing Early Childhood memories. I remember during 2nd grade I had a teacher who only spoke English. She went out her way to learn some Spanish. She did this so parents can get involved. Most of my classmates had parents who only spoke spanish. She tried her very best until she got a translator and this translator was such an amazing help she would translate to each parent. She would teach us how to learn how to read and write our name. I will always remember her for such a kind teacher she was.

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My ECE experience has always been one of the best. I have been working with young children since I was 18 years old. When I began to to work with children more closely at community college, I found my people. Infants/Toddlers have always had a special place in my heart. I used to be a lead infant teacher at a local center in Ventura. For other personal reasons, I resigned from my position and began working as a preschool teacher. I have always collaborated with co-teachers very well because we work together as a team! I loved the feeling of days when I was absent and the families would ask about me. Thats how I knew I officially made a positive impact. 🥰

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I have so many amazing memories of my early childhood education experiences. I can still remember Parent Night in first grade where I got to show my parents around my classroom; all of the parents left notes in our desks for us to see the next morning. My school's PTA also created fun events such as a Sock Hop dance and school fairs twice a year. Additionally, my teachers were very kind and supportive of me when I was experiencing some behavioral issues and they provided me with school counseling. I am grateful for the ways that the school included my family in so many events at school as well as inside the classroom.

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My early education experience with my teachers was positive, especially during 1st grade. I remember I had this one teacher who spoke both English and Spanish. She made an effort to get parents involved, and that would be having classes for parents who spoke Spanish. She would set up days, and parents would then show up and learn how to read, which would benefit me and other students.

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I had a postive expeirence with the teachers in my early education. When I was in headstart, my mom would come in and volunteer. During that time my mom did not work and knew very little Engish, however she would still come in. When we talk about it now she says the teachers were kind to her and helped her understand what was happening. The teachers made sure my mom was welcomed even with the very little Engish that she knew. Once I went into elementry thats when my family was less involved in the classroom/events. Teachers did not make that effort to commuicate with them if there was a language barrier.

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I always had good connections with my teachers as I was growing up. They were always very helpful and considerate. My family wasn't really involved in school activities. They would only show up for my award ceremonies or back-to-school nights, and that was about it. My school or teachers never really planned events for parents to come to school. The only time my educators would be able to speak to my parents was during conference week.

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One of my hard core memory was 1st grade where my teacher made a family night and intended to make it later knowing that most of her students parents worked in the fields. With that she provided small snacks for us. Another memory and the main one that lead me to be a teacher was my 4th grade teacher that would do anything to help his students and their families. Although years passed I still have communication with that teacher and its great to see a great teacher be so special to a lot of those that were his students.

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I remember my elementary school would always put on talent shows, song and dance recitals and events like "Spaghetti Night" where families would come to the school for dinner. I really enjoyed all the activities my school put on for our family and the community.