Giselle, Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal: Advize Career Interview
A career in kindergarten education at KIPP SoCal, as described by Giselle, offers a dynamic and rewarding experience. A path to this role might involve an education minor and early fieldwork, perhaps through Teach for America.
Daily responsibilities include delivering a comprehensive curriculum encompassing phonics, math, science, reading, and writing to a class of 30 students, while also managing an instructional assistant and collaborating extensively with colleagues and parents.
Success requires strong relationship-building, creativity, immense patience, and flexibility – traits that Giselle highlights as crucial for navigating the unique challenges of classroom management with young learners.
The collaborative team environment, community focus, and the joy of engaging with children are major sources of fulfillment, although the initial adjustment to classroom demands is a common learning curve.
For aspiring educators, entry-level positions like teacher's assistants offer valuable experience before committing to further education.
Giselle's career journey emphasizes the importance of seeking support and utilizing practical teaching tools, highlighting a rewarding career path within the education sector.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Giselle Mendoza
Kindergarten teacher
KIPP SoCal
UCLA
LMU - MA / credential in Special Education
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Anthropology, Sociology
Education
Education
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
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Career Path Of A Kindergarten Teacher At KIPP SoCal
Giselle's career path began with an education minor at UCLA, involving fieldwork in bilingual classrooms and the Pre-K UCLA lab school, solidifying their preference for younger grades. Following college, Teach for America placement led to two years teaching a special day class at another KIPP SoCal Elementary School, before transitioning to their current role as a kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, stating "I really like the younger grades and I knew that that was the age group I wanted to work with".
Main Responsibilities of a Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP SoCal
Giselle's main responsibilities as a kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal include teaching "phonics, math, science, reading, and writing" to a class of 30 students, and managing their instructional assistant. A significant part of their role involves curriculum planning, leading grade-level meetings to address student misconceptions, and collaboratively refining weekly lessons.
A Day In The Life Of A Kindergarten Teacher At KIPP SoCal
A kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal starts each day at 6:45 AM, preparing the classroom and morning work before the 7:15 AM school start time, greeting students with "their greeting of choice". The day integrates social-emotional learning, twice daily, with academic subjects like phonics, math, and reading, and incorporates teacher prep time during student enrichment classes for tasks such as planning and communicating with parents.
Most Important Skills For A Kindergarten Teacher At KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, emphasizes the importance of "strong relationship and collaboration skills," requiring constant communication with parents to understand their children, alongside immense patience to manage young learners' emotional needs. Creativity is also key, designing engaging activities that connect playtime with social-emotional learning standards.
Favorite Parts of Being a Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, most enjoys the collaborative team environment with "a lot more people to help collaborate and learn from," allowing for rich content creation. The opportunity to engage with young children and incorporate "a lot of fun and a lot of breaks" is also a significant source of fulfillment in their role.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Kindergarten Teacher At KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, finds the biggest challenge is teaching four-to-five-year-olds, many experiencing their first school setting, "how to be in school," requiring strategies like nonverbal cues for restroom or water breaks to manage interruptions. This highlights the significant role of classroom management in early childhood education.
Favorite Parts of Working in Education as a Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, most enjoys the community aspect of education, working alongside parents and teachers who share the mission of "education for liberation." A key element of this mission is ensuring culturally relevant content for students, highlighting the importance of "cultural relevancy."
What a Kindergarten Teacher at KIPP SoCal Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Education Industry
Giselle, a kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, learned that even experienced teachers rely on notes and visual aids, using "slides and the framework" as teaching tools. This contradicts the initial assumption that teaching requires complete memorization, revealing a practical approach to lesson delivery.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Kindergarten Teachers At KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, suggests that undergraduate students interested in education explore entry-level roles such as "teacher's assistant or an aid in the classroom" to experience the classroom environment and working with children firsthand. This allows aspiring educators to determine if the career path is a good fit before committing to further education or training.
Significant Career Lesson From A Kindergarten Teacher At KIPP SoCal
Giselle, a Kindergarten teacher at KIPP SoCal, learned the significant lesson that "asking for help goes a long way," highlighting the value of collaborative support from experienced colleagues and administrators. This approach has proven invaluable in navigating challenges and leveraging the expertise within their school's team.
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