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JDZ Elementary 841 NE 22nd Ave Camas, WA 98606 |
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EXPL RERs
About Mrs. Maureen Juenger
Dare to Teach, Dare to Learn, Dare to Change, Dare to Win!
My philosophy of education is influenced by the writings of Paulo Freire. Teaching should not involve one person acting on another, but rather people working together. Dialogue is a cooperative activity involving respect. Dialogue is not just about deepening understanding but is part of making a difference in the world. I believe children, parents, staff and community members are all included in this conversation of education.
I am motivated by Paulo Freire’s call for educators to know what happens in the lives of our students and to give “creative wings” to their imaginations and to “demonstrate the importance of imagination for life.” I want to learn with, beside and through my students. My ideal place of employment “is a school that thinks, that participates, that creates, that speaks, that loves, that guesses, that passionately embraces and says yes to life.” I believe JDZ is such a place.
As an avid gardener I like to think of my students as seeds brought to me in various ways. They pop, glide and stick their way into the classroom. I believe, without a doubt, that they will grow if the necessary conditions for growth, such as trust, fairness, respect, and high expectations, are provided. I keep cultivating whether growth is sluggish or profuse. I may modify conditions; apply a little natural fertilizer, so that each and every child can be a vibrant, colorful flower in the classroom bouquet. I value and accept diversity in each child’s way of knowing.
I love watching a garden grow. With capable hands I tend to my flowers and students’ with faith, hope, and love because without these they would languish. My plans include inviting my students to learn thru affirmation, contribution, purpose, power and challenges. I know students will rise to my expectations just as the bean plant climbs to the height of the pole beside it.
“It is impossible to teach without the courage to love, without the courage to try a thousand times before giving up.” I have this courage, love and stamina.
Some additional background: I moved to the Vancouver area just about 4 years ago from upstate N.Y. where we lived just briefly. Prior to that move we lived in Hudson, Massachusetts not far from where Paul Revere took his famous ride! I have been married for more than 20 years and have two sons, Reed who is 14 and Dan who is 11. We all love to swim, ski and explore our new surroundings! We also have two cats and a cockatiel.
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