Kendra Nenia

My philosophy of education mainly comes from years of experience. I’ve worked in private daycares, religion-based childcare, for-profit daycares, as a nanny, as an aide in an early childhood special education classroom, as a substitute teacher for all ages of children, and in a high quality, developmentally appropriate, play-based learning childcare center. I have played with, observed, cared for, and loved thousands of children over the past twenty-four years. This experience has provided me with a unique lens. My philosophy is not a compilation of ideas I once read, or theories created by one or two researchers or idealistic Pinterest images. My philosophy comes from what I have learned through the pursuit of a Master’s Degree in addition to what I have experienced as a teacher of the very young.

The richest, deepest and most profound learning comes from play. Not just free play without guidance, but quality, scaffolded, play-based experiences that usually revolve around a child’s interests. The times I have wholeheartedly followed children into their minds as they play and then supported them by using materials, experiences, questioning, and books is when I have seen the most profound amounts of growth and learning. So, I believe in providing children with high quality, meaningful learning experiences. I know by doing so teachers will see the greatest reward. 

As educators I believe we want to offer all children meaningful learning experiences that last. Layer upon layer, concept upon concept, children learn and grow. A strong foundation allows the layers of education  to be built without shifting. We want to give children the best we can offer by using developmentally appropriate play in compilation with children’s interests. This is what I know to be the best. Isn’t that the primary purpose of education; to provide children with meaningful, quality learning experiences that will last a lifetime? 

I feel all humans learn best when they are interested in a topic. Think about the classes you have endured, specifically classes that immersed you in concepts and theories that were rooted in a subject you have absolutely no interest in. Personally, I recall memorizing facts and concepts through rote memorization during high school and my undergraduate degree. Loading my brain with dates and definitions, theorems and equations, taking the test and then taking a metaphorical cognitive dump. As the class ended I would forget most of what I had learned only to fill my brain with more useless layers of information; repeating the process over and over again. But when I found my passion in life, I dove in headfirst. I couldn’t learn enough; I wanted more! Layer upon layer, concept upon concept I built knowledge about children, teaching, and learning. All humans each learn at their own individual pace; that is where layers really come into play. I believe if an educator tries to put a layer of learning on top of a concept or idea that hasn’t solidified, it will slide right off.

I strive to be the best I can possibly be in the field of early childhood education. Using strategies and curriculum I have learned throughout my education and life experiences, I give children, families, and students the most I can offer while they are in my classroom.  I feel all teachers should put their best into teaching; so that we contribute to the building of strong adults that are filled with solid layers of learning, ready to take on the world.

As a result of my diverse experiences, it is with a deep passion I am afforded the ability to not only educate young children, but to instruct future teachers and support current teachers.