Achievement: Fausto Naputi Rivera III graduated from St. Francis Catholic School on Saturday, May 17, 2008. His parents, Fausto Jr. and Matilda Naputi Rivera, provide him with the support necessary to excel in school. Pictured L-R: Sr. Marsha Nededog, principal; Rivera; and Jesse Castro, teacher.

Teaching Our Young Children Effectively

I firmly believe that taking care of and teaching our young children effectively in the beginning years of their lives can make a world of difference. We must take the lead to guide them in the right path of a successful future. After all, it has been widely proven that the first years of a person's life is the most influential.

Research has shown that if a young child learns to think positive and is interested in school, he or she will achieve academic success. With this in mind, I want to teach our young children to excel and bring out the talents in themselves.

Meeting the needs of the child for the interest of what is best for the child is what effective education is all about. I believe that educators are unique and dedicated individuals who believe in the potential of children and who will not give up on them. Through all the trials and tribulations that educators may encounter, such as dealing with budget constraints, behavior problems, etc. the best teachers always seem to shine through and will have touched the lives of many children, giving the children the disposition that learning is fun. These teachers continue to teach not simply for earning a living, but more importantly because they are interested in the prosperous progress and development of the children. With this in mind, it is no wonder why such teachers continue on, especially when they are appreciated by the students themselves.

In essence, I would like to emphasize that the goal of education is to teach our children in such a way that they learn specific skills needed for life, but that they do so in a fun way. And I can't say enough of how a teacher's attitude towards her students can greatly impact children. We need to be caring, love teaching, be creative, be sincere, be strong, be patient, believe in our students' abilities, and don't give up, because the children need us. Only when we can honestly say that we will be there for the children and guide them through both good and challenging times can we truly say that we have made a difference in their lives.