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Children Tufts'
main priority
By Ben Dimapindan
On-line Forty-Niner
One Cal State Long
Beach student glimpses into her bright future every time she
enters her workplace and is greeted with the glowing smiles
of many enthusiastic children.
When Jenae Marie
Tufts initially enrolled in the university two years ago,
she harbored strong aspirations to be a teacher or a school
psychologist. Currently Tufts is a psychology major with an
emphasis on child development and works part-time as a teacher's
aide for the Wilmington Park Children's Center.
Working with children
from ages 2 to 7 enables Tufts to experience the practical
application of psychology. She integrates the knowledge learned
inside the college classroom to the classroom of the children's
center.
"We develop
learning and how to interact with people," Tufts said.
"Just like in psychology, children learn behavior and
when they're young that's when you shape them. It's classical
conditioning, you do something over and over again then they'll
learn.
"I try to
teach them right from wrong and teach them that every action
has a consequence. I find that kids that are bad, I improved
them a lot actually. I teach kids to talk to me instead of
hitting other kids who say something bad. Little by little
it starts helping."
Since Tufts comes
from a large extended family where children are always present,
she finds it fitting that educating children should be a part
of her future. Not only is Trufts intrigued by the thought
processes of children, but she said she also hopes to have
a positive impact on the their young lives while they are
highly impressionable.
"Children
fascinate me; the way they learn, how they learn, and how
they interact with people," she said. "It's amazing.
They listen to every detail. Children are so loving and accepting,
you wish everyone could be like that."
Tufts further explained
that at times she feels more like a role model instead of
just a teacher's aide, especially when the children will periodically
admit they want to be just like her when they grow up.
"I watch what
I do and say around them and they look up to me for that,"
she said.
In addition, the
children collectively appreciate her efforts to help them,
according to Wilmington Park Children's Center teacher Jimmy
Jones. All the enthusiasm Tufts invests into the classroom
is fully reciprocated by the young students themselves.
"Children
gravitate toward her," Jones said. "You can hear
her name echoing across the room because they are happy to
see her."
The children with
whom Tufts works are not the only ones convinced of her commitment
and promise for a future in children's pedagogy. Fellow psychology
major Jonathan Meza is well aware of her ability to convey
information effectively.
"She's a very
good student who has tutored me on more than one occasion,"
Meza said. "I think she'd make a great teacher. The way
she takes time to explain everything in a calm manner -- these
are qualities that would make a great teacher."
Even the teachers
at the Wilmington Park Children's Center realize the potential
Tufts exudes while working with the children. Jones admits
that he and the other staff members realize her natural teaching
skills and encourage her to pursue any occupation in education,
whether it means functioning as a teacher or a school psychologist.
"She has a
genuine interest in what she does," Jones said. "She
seems to be a perfectionist at it. She has an artistic ability
in working with kids."
Although Tufts
embraces the future with optimism, the experiences of today
are what she truly cherishes, especially the time spent at
the children's center.
"I am always
happy when I'm at work," she said.
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