I have completed two successful teaching placements within Dorset, teaching Year 1 and a mixed Year 3/4 class. I thoroughly enjoyed both placements as they offered very diverse ranges of teaching requirements. My placement with Year 1 was at St Andrew's Primary in Yetminster and gave me the experience to work with children with some special needs. This helped me to develop a variety of teaching styles and behaviour management skills that needed to be used constantly in order for the children to learn successfully, meet objectives and obtain high standards of work. I had to implement a wide range of differentiation, inclusion and target setting with all tasks. My second placement was at a small Village school in Broadwindsor. I had to teach a mixed Year 3/4 class. I enjoyed teaching the older children, and having two year groups gave me the experience of how to plan for a mixed aged class. For both placements I have taught subjects across the National Curriculum. I have found that I particularly enjoy teaching Art – I love being creative and I feel it really helps children to express themselves. I understand the need to provide a varied curriculum that will give children the necessary skills and strategies to achieve their full potential. I have formed positive relationships with the children in both schools and created a stimulating environment that includes fun and interactive displays. My effective communication skills have enabled me to pursue a successful relationship with the other teachers, parents and teaching assistants.

This year I have specialised in Early Years and have spent time in a reception class and a pre school. The course has provided me with the opportunity to understand a co-ordinator's role and build a subject leader's file. I have enjoyed looking for articles in the news and resources that can be used within the Early Years Curriculum. I am a teacher who is interested in an education that can be provided through a visual, auditory or kinaesthetic environment. I believe that we should respect children's views and help them to develop their speaking and listening skills.

During my teaching experience, I have really enjoyed the responsibilities and the challenges that come with teaching and planning lessons. I am able to offer the school my experience of ICT, in which I feel competent that I would be able to help others with any problems. I use ICT to write my lesson plans and also within my lessons wherever I feel it would benefit the lesson and the children's learning. I enjoy playing sports, and at St Andrew's School I helped to run the rounders and athletics clubs at lunchtime and after school. I will be delighted if I had the opportunity to help with any extra-curricular activities at my next school.

Through my experience of teaching so far, I have come to realise that there are certain qualities that are crucial in a good teacher. I am extremely enthusiastic, which I have found to really motivate and inspire the children in their learning. I am exceptionally patient, which has proved to be of great importance, especially when teaching children with a lower ability or special educational needs. I am organised, which is imperative as I believe children need structure and lessons that have been well planned and meet the needs of the children. It is also important, however, to be forward thinking and flexible enough to change planning on the spot when needs be. I am conscientious, take pride in my work and set out to achieve the best in everything I do. Finally, I firmly believe that teaching is enriched through team work, working together with parents, governors and the community and I am someone who thoroughly enjoys working with others.

Between September and July 2002, I worked as a Teacher Assistant with Year 1 in Heatherland's First School in Parkstone. I worked with the children individually teaching Literacy and Numeracy where I helped the children to learn the sounds of letters with the help of pictures and understand straightforward sequences of numbers. In the afternoons I would give support to children who needed extra help learning their letter sounds and the formation of writing the letters. This experience of teaching on a one to one basis gave me a much clearer understanding of interaction with children and a clearer understanding of how valuable the support of a teacher assistant can be within the classroom.

During the Spring Term of my third year at Worcester University, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to take part in an exchange scheme with students from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA. During this time I taught at Eisenhower Primary School in Indiana, where the mornings were spent with five to six year old children and the afternoons with six to seven year old children. I found it fascinating to compare and contrast American and British schools, and working within a different culture enriched my experience of teaching; I would be fascinated to learn about teaching methods throughout the rest of the world. I feel that bringing experiences into the classroom helps pupils to understand and respect their society and other cultures.

The experiences I have gained both in my role as a teaching assistant and during my teaching practices have highlighted the professional standards that are required for teaching. I am a teacher who supports the philosophy that above everything children have the right to learn in a fun and multi-sensory environment. I am very keen to put my knowledge into practice and hope I have demonstrated an energetic and enthusiastic personality. I look forward to becoming a part of the team that is reponsible for developing children's learning at your school.