Autobiography

My name is Justin Powell and I was born in 1980. I suffered as stroke as a baby, not
leaving the hospital until I was three and a half months old. I almost passed away twice. The
stroke affected the right side of my body, now I have very little use of my right hand. The most
humbling part of all of this is I’m missing a small part of my brain. I consider my mother my
hero because of the lengths she went to give me a chance in life. I wouldn’t be the person I am
today without her.

In my younger years, my family was consisted of my mom, dad, a brother Andy, a sister
Lauren, and me. I’m the oldest out of the three of us. By the time I turned the age of 12, I
became another statistic, a child from a broken home. Later on in life both my parents re –
married. To my surprise the year I became 21 years old, I once again was a brother. My father
had another child, a boy named Jordan. A blended family is my reality.

Throughout my school - age years, the educational side is a struggle. I graduated high
school at New Berlin Eisenhower during the year of 1999. There is one teacher that particularly
stands out, my 1st grade teacher Miss. Sage. She had the commitment to give me every chance
to succeed, even going so far to tutor me over that first summer, just so I wouldn’t have the
challenge of seemingly starting over, because some things can be tough for me to comprehend.
This is the example I hope comes across to my students, trying to be just as compassionate,
willingness to stand behind every student I have in my class, while helping them achieve to the
best of their ability.

I found my way from living in New Berlin to Appleton in 2004, because of being involved
in a relationship. Her name is Niki and I married her in 2006. We now have our own family,
being a father of two boys, Lakin (8yrs) and Landon (4 yrs.). The biggest thrill in life is being a
dad. No better job a man can have. I cherish my family and the days I’m living right now. I
think when I’m much older I will look back on these days as the finest days of my life.

After leaving high school, I really had no direction, but knew I enjoyed being around
children. My sister and I are 10 years apart and I watched her for years after school, while my
mom was working. In the year 2000, I began working at KinderCare Learning Center, where I
worked for 10 years, helping children grow from the ages of two all the way up to school - age. I
have also worked for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball team, a minor league affiliate of
the Milwaukee Brewers for 3 years, as part of the Parking Crew. It was a part time job and
though I enjoyed it, as my boys grow up my priorities changed. I needed to be involved in
activities, such as my boys playing baseball and cub scouts. I currently work at the Children of
America childcare center in Appleton WI. Once again I’m working with all different ages. I
currently am a school – age teacher. I have been a teacher there for over 7 years and I enjoy
making a difference in the life of a child. I currently am enrolled at Northeast Wisconsin
Technical College with the hopes that someday I will be in a school system as a paraprofessional
in a special needs classroom. Once I decided to devote myself to educating children, I felt like it
would be fitting to help children with special needs, after all I’m a living example that anything is
possible.
Personal Professional Philosophy Statement

The role of a preschool teacher is the continuation of developing the skills help children
grow as people. The classroom environment needs to be inviting and organized. The children
need to feel safe and comfortable, a proper setting for positive learning. When children are
involved in child – led activities, this is promoting self - expression and creativity. With activities
centered on teacher – led activities, children are given minimal direction to how to complete an
activity. A teacher’s role in active play is to stay alert for teachable moments, such as a
disagreement over something. To be engaged and involved in constant learning. The classroom
needs to be set up so children can freely move and explore. When incorporating brand new
ideas, I make it interactive, I learned making children apart of things, keeping their attention
longer. With children involve in discovering activities, I look to capture the imagination by using
real – life items, such as examine a flower by description and feel, coming up with their own
conclusions. My belief and hope is that all children are enriched and continuously learning.

The setting needs to be set up for the children to succeed. There needs to be age
appropriate toys and materials. Keeping the imagination and interest of learning high is by
switching up toys, leaving the environment fresh. Using real – life resources, like a milk cartoon
turn into an igloo. This way of teaching, creates children to think outside the box. All children
learn in different ways, like visual, hands on, and group interaction. A teacher must be aware of
learning patterns to help each child to the fullest. It is my understanding that smaller group
sizes, a better way of learning. I know the way things are now a day, with continuing education
a teacher can be sharper and better to help influence children.

The responsibility of a teacher is helping all students succeed, children with special
needs, behavioral issues, and developmentally excelling. I know from first- hand experience
that children with special needs can have problems processing information. When thinking of
creating a lesson plan I make sure to think up two ways of doing activities. I will make it as
simple as can be because achievement comes in many forms. Children that have behavioral
issues my biggest way to help are redirection. No child is considered naughty, keeping it
positive, no matter how difficult, will benefit the child. As far as children whom grasp things
with ease, challenging them is the best way to keep their development growing. A teacher that
refuses to keep striving to benefit the child can create a sense of boredom. Finally, families
need to be included in the children’s learning. I use them as a resource, knowing what kind of
job they have or interests, parents can enhance learning. Good parent and teacher
communication can only benefit the children.
 Justin R. Powell
3709 S. Berryfield Lane
Appleton WI 54915
262-337-1928 email: jpowell2@hotmail.com

Objective – To obtain a responsible position working in an educational environment that will help
in advancing the development of others.

Work Experience

Children of America – Appleton, Wisconsin – September 2010 – Present

Lead Child Care Teacher

Responsible for caring for children of all age groups from 2-12. Promoted to 4K Lead Teacher in 2015.
Responsibilities include: administration of curriculum, providing excellent customer service to parents
and providing a safe environment for the children to develop in.

KinderCare – July 2000 – September 2010

Appleton, WI – October 2004 – September 2010

New Berlin, WI - July 2000 – October 2004
Progressed from Child Care Assistant to Lead Child Care Teacher

Responsibilities included: Educating children at their level, keeping them safe, working with parents,
being an excellent role model and enhancing my classroom to further their development.

DM Review Magazine – Brookfield, Wisconsin – September 1996 – April 1999

Circulation Assistant

Responsibility for coordinating and control of qualification cards.

Education

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Early Childhood: Inclusion Certificate September 2016 – Present

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wisconsin The Early Childhood Preschool Certificate
– GPA 4.0 Final Portfolio Presentation September 2014 – May 2016

Eisenhower High School, New Berlin, Wisconsin. Graduated June 1999. Received the Scholarship
Excelled in English and literary courses.

Certificates of Completion from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Child Care
Teacher (40 Hours) Work and Family Consulting (5/15/01) and Assistant Child Care Teacher (40 Hours)
Work and Family Consulting (4/10/01)

Poetry published in Letters from the Soul (Fall 2002)

References available upon request