Education is a lifelong process and all students deserve equal opportunities to learn, develp, and grow.  As an educator, I believe that children should be provided with the tools, knowledge, and role models needed for success in today’s society.  Motivation to work to their fullest potential is essential in learning.  School should be a place where students want to come everyday, where life is exciting and meaningful, where creativity and divergent thinking are encouraged and evident, and where each student knows he or she is valued as an individual.  I feel that there are certain educational goals that can facilitate this to happen.     One educational goal is to provide a nurturing learning environment which focuses on meeting each individual child’s academic, social, and emotional needs.  A classroom with high expectations where children are taught to take responsibility for their learning and feel that they can take risks is important. Teachers need to create opportunities for children to make choices and develop skills in decision making.  In addition, it is imperative that there is consistency and support for all students.  For example, I constantly model my love for reading and writing.        Another goal of education is for children to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of society.  As a teacher I am committed to learning and constantly striving to improve the knowledge acquisition of my students through reflection and continual refinement of the instructional process.  A teacher’s job is to gain knowledge and understand how each individual learns and develops.  Through observation, assessment, and diagnosis, one can provide children with meaningful instruction and opportunities to utilize their strengths.     Still another educational goal is to prepare children to become active participants in society and be able to work together in a culturally diverse world.  Learning does not take place in isolation, but takes place in the child’s world, their community.  I feel that it is my job to provide the enthusiasm, skills, strategies, knowledge, and experiences students need to learn and to continue progressing especially in the areas of reading, writing, and speaking.  My passion for teaching, experience, on going reflection, and my desire to further my education and continually gain knowledge, are all factors that will help me to continue growing as an effective early childhood educator.