October 27, 2003

I really had to sit and think about this question. I don't know if I learned anything new about myself, but I did find that certain aspects of my teaching are right where they should be, while others can stand to be improved. Sitting down and analyzing myself as a teacher can only benefit me and my students -- and the certification process has given me the opportunity to do that. I've really taken a good look at how my lessons impact student learning. I know I did that before, but I'm more conscious of it now.

I've also learned that I don't need as much sleep as I thought I did! My nerves have hit their peak and my stress level has doubled. I sometimes wonder if I don't achieve board certification this first year, will I have the same drive I have now, or will all my energy be drained?

Meet Jennifer Sinotte Jennifer Sinotte received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Franklin Pierce College in May 1992, and her master's degree in special education from Providence College in May of 1998. Jennifer has spent her teaching career at Bradford Elementary School in Westerly, Rhode Island. For the first two years of her career, she was a resource teacher for grades four and five. For the past four years, Jennifer taught in a primary self-contained classroom, and recently switched to full-day kindergarten.

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