Mauri Princl

Professionalism summary of growth

During my time working with preschool children I had to opportunity to experience a lot
of things. I got to see how the preschool children were more independent than the younger
ages and I experienced how they grow into becoming more independent as well as an
individual. I also saw how they catch onto things and how they light up when they do. For
example, when learning the sounds of the alphabet and they are able to say all the sounds, they
show excitement. I also really enjoyed being in the preschool room and working with the older
children. It made me realize that I prefer to work with the older children than the toddlers or
babies. Another thing I experienced was that I felt comfortable in the preschool room and it
didn’t take me long to adapt to the older ages.

Completing the preschool credential changed me as an early childhood professional in

many ways. It gave me a lot of experience in the field with the children as well as working
alongside teachers. It has also gave me a better sense of understanding children’s behaviors
and what possible factors might be according to their behaviors and emotions. Teaching
techniques and different ways to approach things is another thing I e that has changed me as an
early childhood professional. I have also definitely built confidence in myself. I learned not to by
shy and to step out of my comfort zone.

Some changes that I have implemented in my classroom or program to improve quality

in working with preschool children are encouraging others as well as myself to understand the
actions of children before reacting to them. I have also implemented different techniques of
teaching skills because not every child learns the same way. Another way was adjusting the
comfortability of the classroom, making it more welcoming and a happy atmosphere. Lastly the
phrasing of certain things for example instead of saying no don’t do that, explain why they can’t
do that or why you’re about to tell that child no.
 Challenges were something that was faced but also something that was overcome. A
challenge would be dealing with the COVID-19 and having to change all classes to online. Not
being used to having certain classes online made it a challenge to learn a new learning style
almost halfway into the semester. Another challenge was not being able to do my practicum
hours when I wanted too. Another teacher needed practicum hours in the same classroom as
me. Splitting the time in the room made it more difficult to get the hours I needed and to plan
activities during a certain time.

I will use my strengths and passions to contribute to quality early childhood care and
education in my future by taking the time to listen and understand the children and the feelings
about something as well as creating fun educational activities and projects. I will also maintain
an uplifting happy atmosphere in the classroom so that children want to come back and like
their classroom. Lastly, I will create close but professional relationships with the students, their
parents, and my co-workers.

Rating Scale
3: exceeds criterion with high degree of accuracy, attention to detail, or creativity
2: meets criterion fully, no revision necessary
1: meets criterion adequately, some room for improvement.
0: does not meet criterion; information missing or incorrect.

Criteria Self-Ratings Instructor-Rating

Summary describes your 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0
experience working with
Preschool children
Summary describes how has 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0
completing the PS credential
changed you as an early
childhood professional
Summary includes the 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0
changes you have
implemented in your
classroom or program to
improve quality working with
preschool children
Summary describes what 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0
challenges/barriers within this
credential did you overcome
Summary describes how you 3 2 1 0 3 2 1 0
will use your strengths and
passion to contribute to quality
early care and education in the
future.
Total Score: 15 points ___/15 ___/15