Jessica Stephen

Hello, my name is Jessica Stephen, and I am a college student at Chapman University studying to become an elementary school teacher. I love learning new things, exploring different cities and coffee shops, and have always enjoyed practicing and studying art. I look forward to soon being in a classroom of my own and integrating art and creativity into our everyday activities and creating a community of empathy, mindfulness, and respect.

While in college, I have had the opportunity to work with students as a literacy teacher for fourth and fifth graders at a Saturday Academy program in Santa Ana, California and an intern for an after school program in Anaheim, California. As a Saturday Academy teacher/coordinator I have planned lessons and taught fourth and fifth grade literacy based on different books, adjusting the plans for each class and set of students. A few of my favorite parts about being a coordinator for Saturday Academy has been the practical application of my education major and the chance to build relationships with the students, mentors, and other coordinators. I have learned about the importance of effective communication and collaboration, the need keep volunteers inspired, and the impact of designing creative programs even with limited resources. As an intern at the after school program, Higher Ground, I spent most days helping students with homework, supervising and interacting with the kids on the playground, teaching and designing art activities, and meeting various other needs of the program. Through this internship, I loved the opportunity to get to know the students and help create a space where they feel safe and cared for.

The more I get into my Education major and spend time with students in various work and volunteer experiences, the more I can’t wait to become a teacher. Like many people, I long to make a difference and impact on the world leaving it better than I found it and giving everything I have to make it a little better. With this, the opportunity be a light and support for students and a caring adult that could help transform their view of the world is so exciting to me and I can’t wait to continue learning and growing into the best educator and advocate for my students as I can be.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected]