Welcome!
About Reading Recess
Hello! My name is Kelsi C. and I created this platform as a place to share a passion for reading. Everything published through Reading Recess is designed to inspire young children to explore the world of letters and words. I believe in using curiosity to guide learning and harnessing imagination to bring ideas to life.
My ultimate goal for Reading Recess is to fill the platform with a variety of resources that help give kids a reason to read. Everyone is different, and so every approach to learning how to read will be different. Reading Recess is meant to be a space where everyone can find something that reaches them!
More About Kelsi
Random Links
Kelsi graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. While she enjoyed learning all about how to be a professional teacher, she could tell that her career path in education was not going to be as straightforward as she had believed. After many jobs and countless days of questioning what she truly want to make her life's work, Reading Recess is where she have ended up.
Kelsi's dream job is to be a full-time children's book writer and illustrator, but natural her creativity spills over into many random projects. She enjoys learning how to create digital media like videos, audiobooks, and podcasts, as well as learning how to use physical art mediums as well, from painting to collaging to photography. She likes to explore how all of the mediums can mix together, which often leads to avalanches of ideas! That's where Reading Recess comes in. Kelsi was having a tough time organizing her work into one place because the projects were so miscellaneous, so she decided to create this website as a launchpad to share all of her projects. New things are always popping up, so check back every now and then to keep up to date!
Things I've learned so far:
I have taught many groups of learners, all from incredibly different backgrounds. No matter which job I was holding at any given point in time, I was always learning more about how to be a good teacher. Here is a valuable thing I have learned from each experience:
Job 1:
Teacher Assistant at therapy day center
Teaching is a team effort. If everyone is not on the same page, things can get really messy (literally).
Job 4:
Elementary Group Teacher at a summer childcare program
Advocate for every child, even the ones who are constantly testing everyone's limits.
Job 6:
Caregiver in nursery at child care center
Children are communicating all of the time, even from babyhood. You can teach them lots about language and communication from the very beginning.
Job 9:
Babysitter for infant and preschooler
Physical, emotional, and mental development happen fast. Take note of patterns and celebrate every accomplishment!
Job 12:
In-Person Tutor for kids at a learning center
It is important to let kids have time to be kids. Break up long stretches of work with creative practice activities to encourage ongoing active engagement in learning.
Job 2:
Teacher at a child care center
Every child has a different perspective on everything that happens (just like every adult!). Be a listener and a guide to help them make conclusions and find solutions.
Important Experience
Student Teacher in 1st and 6th grade classrooms
Make real connections with each child to create an environment where everyone feels safe and important. That is when real learning happens.
Job 7:
Substitute Teacher for K-12
Most elementary students look up to their teachers in one way or another and they are happy to share why. Learn from what they say.
Job 10:
Coach for school PE and afterschool enrichment
Many kids are very competitive and still need help learning how to win and lose gracefully. It is a great opportunity to talk about empathy.
Job 3:
Recreational coach at a gymnastics gym
It is okay to tell kids when they are doing something wrong. Help them understand what that means and how to fix it.
Job 5:
Hostess at a restaurant
Be patient with people. Be kind to yourself. Try to not blame children for things that are out of their control.
Job 8:
Hybrid (online/in-person) Reading Teacher for reading program
Every teaching job has its own learning curve, especially when it is something as new as widespread virtual learning.
Job 11:
Online Reading Teacher for kids across the United States
Teaching through a screen is almost an entirely different skillset than traditional, in-person teaching. It is also a very underdeveloped space with lots of room for improvement.
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