Kelly McKeeman’s Post

From classrooms to careers in education! Through engaging courses like Child Development and the Coastline ROP Careers with Children Internship, students have the opportunity to explore and prepare for rewarding careers in early childhood education. #FutureReady #CareerReadiness #CareerTechEd #CTSO #HigherEd #STEM #WorkBasedLearning #CollegeReadiness #CareerExploration #IUSD #SVUSD #NMUSD #TUSD

Through its partnership with the Polk County School Board, Polk State's Education Program has found innovative ways to create opportunities for students while addressing teacher shortages. The Temporary Teacher Internship Certification Pathway (ICP) serves students enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program but have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. If the student meets a set of state and College requirements, they can be hired as Polk County Public Schools teachers while completing their final internship toward a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Polk State.

✨✨Last year, I had the fantastic opportunity to complete my internship with the Head Start program in Richmond, California. During my time in the classroom, I had the pleasure of meeting incredible children and teachers. My lessons were centered around social-emotional development. I chose this focus because, as a preschool teacher, I believe that learning to express, communicate, and advocate for oneself is crucial for all ages, particularly for low-income black and brown families. Also when we have the tools to help ourselves we can better help those around us. Despite the prevailing belief among educators that children are egocentric and lack the ability to understand others' emotions, I aimed to challenge this notion. I began by investigating whether children could grasp their own emotions and express them through words, facial expressions, and actions. Through weeks of exploration and inquiry, including asking children about their actions and the emotions behind them, we progressed to examining their friends' emotions. We practiced asking questions such as "How are you feeling today?" "What made you feel this way?" and "How can I help you feel better?" We also encouraged children to problem solve amongst each other by using the language used above✨ Observational findings: Social-emotional development We noticed that following engagement in social-emotional activities and discussions, children began using phrases like "How are you feeling?" "I need space," or "Can we play together?" Our observations revealed a growing awareness of others as children started advocating for fairness, such as saying, "Hey, it's not fair to knock down people's towers." Through ongoing observation and exploration of social-emotional development with our children, we aim to challenge the assumption that children are inherently selfish and incapable of understanding others' feelings.

Mentorship Programs and Internships Are Effective Pipeline Strategies to Augment the Behavioral Health (BH) Workforce. Check-out what California and Nebraska are doing in this area and others to strengthen the BH workforce. https://lnkd.in/ebT8KyrQ https://lnkd.in/eCEwKQvw

📆 Throwback to 2017 - Internship at Kindergarten: Active Listening 🎧👂 ✨ My internship at a kindergarten was a delightful experience with invaluable educational value. During this period, I applied and became familiar with various counseling techniques, with a particular focus on Active Listening (emphasizing eye contact, body posture, and clarifying questions). ✨ Working with preschool children, including toddlers, pre-kindergarten, and pre-pre-kindergarten students, involved interactive games and group activities, enriching both the children’s learning experience and my own understanding of effective communication. #Throwback #ActiveListening #Preschool #PracticalTraining #ChildDevelopment #ikasotaki

The principles of MTSS and PBIS can certainly be used in any educational setting. Supporting these processes is completely within the domain of a school psychologist's job. I appreciate how the authors highlighted the skill sets that a school psychologist can bring to schools, both traditional and alternative. #MTSSforALL #MTSS #educationalequity

An aspired childhood educator Throughout my internship, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to teach children, which provided me with valuable hands-on experience in the field. This experience is incredibly valuable, as it allows me to apply the theories and concepts I've learned about child development in a practical setting. As an aspiring childhood educator, I understand the importance of fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for children. I recognize that every child is unique and has their own individual needs and learning styles. With my knowledge of child development, I can tailor my teaching approach to meet the specific needs of each child, ensuring that they receive the best possible education and support. my internship experience has likely exposed me to various age groups and diverse backgrounds, which has further enhanced my understanding of the different developmental stages and challenges children may face. This exposure has also allowed me to develop communication skills, patience, and adaptability etc, which are crucial qualities for working with children effectively. In addition to my academic knowledge and internship experience, I have also gained insights into classroom management techniques, curriculum development, and assessment strategies. These skills will enables me to create engaging lesson plans, implement effective teaching strategies, and monitor the progress of each child. Education is a dynamic field, and ongoing professional development will ensure that I can provide the highest quality education and support to the children under my care. With my passion, knowledge, and practical experience, I am on a journey to making a positive impact in the lives of children as a childhood educator. my dedication to their growth, development, and well-being will undoubtedly contribute to shaping their futures in a meaningful way. #pomotechildeducation #Buildpositiveimpact #Childpsychology

Starting the new year with a new contribution to #SchoolPsychology! The below article examines the use of #MTSS in residential and day habilitation programs, highlighting both its potential to empower individuals with I/DD and the limitations in its current implementation. It also touches on the historical role of school psychologists in these settings, which were among the first job and internship placements for SPs. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gmc5iGQA School psychologists have a rich history of working in non-school settings, and these roles are such an important part of our field. By remembering where we started, we can better advocate for the future and celebrate the many ways we can make a difference both inside and outside of school settings--MTSS in day hab and residential settings is a prime area for SP role expansion and efforts should made to advocate for how much of a difference we can make in these settings.

Last year, we proudly launched Project SEARCH in Sacramento, providing 9 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a transformative 9-month internship at UC Davis Health. Through hands-on experience and professional development training, participants are equipped with the skills and confidence they need to succeed when they graduate and embark on meaningful careers.   Thanks to the foundation laid by our Project SEARCH program in Fresno, this impactful initiative continues to grow, creating more opportunities and fostering a culture of inclusion in workplaces across California!   #WorkplaceWednesday #BestBuddies #ProjectSEARCH #UCDHealth

This article provides amazing proof of the power of internships and other forms of "experiential learning" to enrich the overall high school experience. It shows that learning outside the classroom is uniquely important for helping students understand and envision career opportunities. "Hands-on" learning also supports traditional academics by showing the practical value of what is taught in the classroom. https://lnkd.in/e7qzZUjK