1. I NTRO. T O EDU650 By Melissa Koporetz

2. T HIS IS ME! My name is Melissa Koporetz. I have a 15-year old daughter and we live in northern Wisconsin. I have been working with the local Head Start program for 10 years. I began with them as a bus monitor when my daughter was in the program. I then obtained an Associate degree in ECE and had the opportunity to become a TA. I then began working on my Bachelor degree in ECE and had the opportunity to become a lead teacher in the 3-4 year-old classroom. I am now working towards my Master degree in ECE. It took me almost half my life to figure out where I belonged and now I’m here to stay. My interests include reading, walking and bowling.

3. M Y SCHOOLING & ITS IMPACT I attended a small rural public school. It had 4 classrooms and 6 grades. The music, art, and phy ed teachers all had to “make the rounds” each week to the several rural schools in the district. I enjoyed this setting because it was personal. Our school fostered a sense of community. Junior high and high school were very different from elementary school. Much bigger and not as friendly. The teacher that had the greatest impact on me was my kindergarten teacher – Mrs. Tweeten. We moved into our home just 2 days before my 5 th birthday and school started the next day. My mom put me on the bus as a smiling, happy little girl and Mrs. Tweeten nurtured that smile every day.

4. M RS. T WEETEN Mrs. Tweeten greeted me every day with a smile and a hug. She made learning fun! It wasn’t always the same day after day. I remember the HUGE bookshelf that lined the wall, floor to ceiling. As I looked at it, I remember thinking: “One day, I’m going to read those books way up at the top.” Being the oldest of 4, Mrs. Tweeten always made sure that I had a couple extra coloring pages to take home for my younger brother and sisters. Mrs. Tweeten made learning an adventure and it still is today! This is the environment I foster in my classroom every day!

5. T HE F UTURE Working with young children and their families is my passion. Unfortunately, I don’t believe I’ll be allowed to do so for much longer. Our center director is looking to retire and I, as she was, will be forced into that position. I am working toward my Master degree so that I can be a stronger advocate for the children and families that I serve. If I remain with the current Head Start program, I am hoping to have a louder voice in the development of programs that will benefit both children and educators. I hope to be able to “mend the fence” between the intent of new ideas and the implementation of them. Sometimes the “red tape” gets in the way of doing something truly amazing!

6. E DUCATIONAL Q UOTE “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” ~unknown author By involving the whole child, I am planting the seeds of success.