Welcome fellow classmates and anyone else who may stumble onto this page! My name is Melissa Donofrio and I love working in Early Childhood Education. I have worked in blended model classrooms for the past 11 years. I love the joy and energy my students bring to the class and I strive to help them all love school and build relationships with their peers. In my classroom you will find lots of singing, dancing, puppets, talking and laughing. I love sharing all the wonders of the world with my little friends. My profile picture is me releasing butterflies with my class last spring.
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| A portrait by a student. My hair is very accurate. (personal photo) |
I just completed my ESL endorsement and decided to continue on to my Master's in Education. I had been out of school, on the student side for some time, so I was happy to find out I could still swing it from the other side of the desk. Much has changed about college since my undergrad days, as the Internet was a wee babe, but I have always considered myself pretty tech savvy and an early adopter, so I am excited for this course. I love learning new things, and I always tell my students I love school so much that I never left!
When I'm not working or doing homework, I like movies, running 5Ks, going to yoga, walking my crazy dog and hanging out with friends and family. I have 2 kids, who are awesome humans and make me proud everyday. My daughter graduated college last year and my son is a junior in college. I am also a volunteer magician with Open Heart Magic, which is a fun and rewarding organization to be involved with. While I live and work in the suburbs, I love the city and try to spend as much time there as possible. I love to travel too, and wish I had more time to do so. I have family in Oregon that I don't get to visit often enough. I did manage a much needed long weekend at Universal Studios this winter, to immerse myself in Harry Potter -verse.
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| Kat, Evan & Me at wndrmuseum. (personal photo) |
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| Just a muggle in paradise. (personal photo) |
Hello, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Kaitlin and I am so excited to be working with you this term. It sounds like we are both working on the same program. I too just finished my ESL endorsement and I am continuing my Masters in Education by working toward the Technology Specialist endorsement. I'd love to hear more about how you achieve a blended learning model in an early childhood classroom. What types of programs and tools do your students enjoy learning from, in terms of techonology integrated into instruction? Congratulations to your daughter on her college graduation! Your family sounds wonderful. It's great to virtually meet you.
Melissa, first of all let me start out by saying I absolutely LOVE your "Organized Chaos" title. That is how I describe 100% of my day, so I can completely relate. I too love yoga! What is your favorite type of yoga class? I am currently loving Yoga Sculpt at Corepower. It has maintained my sanity through my "organized or sometime unorganized chaos." What made you decide to work in Early Childhood? What is a go-to tech tool that you use? I look forward to getting to know you and your teaching toolkit! It sounds like you have great experience that I am sure I can learn from! Thanks for posting :)-Mary Kate
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thank you for sharing some of your experiences with us. I was particularly interested in your use of a blended learning model in early childhood for the last 11 years. First off, that's impressive! But beyond that, I wondered what type of model do you use? I'm just beginning to do some research on the topic but my guess would be a station rotation model since it's so similar to centers. I actually work with students on the opposite end of the age spectrum as you: post-secondary transition students who are 18-21 years old, and I think that blended learning models could be of great benefit to my students in customizing content and allowing them to progress through learning in goal areas at their own pace. As a practitioner in a blended learning environment, what might be the number one pitfall for a new teacher in that model? -Dom
ReplyDeleteHey Melissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat yo (cyber?) meet you! So yes...to organized chaos in the classroom and a rousing HUZZAH!!! for "singing, dancing, puppets, talking and laughing." I always tell my own students that if they are having fun, I am also having fun...and when they are miserable, there is a good chance that I am too! For the record, the coolest job of which I have ever heard??? VOLUNTEER MAGICIAN. That is sort of like being a volunteer rock star.
I look forward to learning more about the magic that you are able to create in your classroom!. - Darren
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteIt is very cool that you just finished your ESL Endorsement, so did I! I am also in pursuit of my masters in technology so we have that in common. You mentioned that you work in the suburbs but enjoy visiting the city. I actually used to work in Des Plaines but now I work and live in the city and I really like it. I was however curious what grade you teach? By the picture, I am assuming it is younger students. I work with 3rd grade but I am looking to work with older students, maybe around 5th grade ish next year.
-Derek
Hello, Melissa! Thanks for the enthusiastic introduction to you! There is a special kind of joy when working with the littles (but maybe not so much in the beginning of the year!). I'm excited to learn with you this summer. I may have to bounce some questions off of you since you are a seasoned college mom- I am sending my TWINS this fall!!
ReplyDeleteHello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your blog! I am a former Kindergarten teacher; so I completely understand and love your "Organized Chaos" title! I am excited to join you on this journey to earning our technology specialist endorsement certificate! I also will be interested to see how you integrate technology with the little ones! Teaching 4th grade, it is hard to forget what these little guys are capable of learning and doing! Looking forward to learning with and from you!
~Toni
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