| Mariamma Cheriathundam | back to top |
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Job Title: Three-Year-Olds Teacher Location: Early Childhood Campus Years at Corpus Christi: Thirteen blessed years |
What is your title and responsibilities for the school? I am a preschool teacher and a daycare supervisor for the 3 yr olds .I am very proud and honored to be the very first teacher for most of the three year olds. Where have you worked previously? I worked as a middle and high school Science teacher in Bale, Goba, Ethiopia from 1966 to 1969. I also worked as preschool daycare teacher in Bluebird school Arlington, Va. for almost twenty years. There I worked as a teacher's assistant, later a teacher, and then as director of the school. I enjoyed working in both of these schools. Where were you born (city and state/country) and live as a young child? I was born in Muttuchira in Kerala, India. I grew up in India as the first born in my family of 10 children. I always have fond memories of my childhood. Even though I was born and brought up in India, I am spending most of my adult life in America. Where did you attend elementary school and secondary school, and were you involved in any extracurricular clubs or sports? I went to St. Agnes girl's school in Muttuchira .My teachers were very devoted and dedicated nuns. What high-school or college did you attend? I attended St. Agnes G. High school. I received a Bachelors degree in Botany and Chemistry from B.C.M. College Kottayam, and B.Ed. degree from St. Thomas training college Palai, Kerala. .My whole education was in Catholic Institutions. I also took 9 credit hours of early child hood course work from N.O.V.A and U.V.A. here in U.S.A. Do you have family in the area? My husband Paul and I are married for fourty two years, and we have four children, one girl and three boys. We also have five grand children. All of my children live around this area. My grand daughter Lilly has been selected for the Olympic development training program for Soccer from Virginia, and now from the north eastern region. I am very proud of my Lilly. In 2007, my father passed away 42 days before completing his 100th birthday. I think I can in no way complete my biography without telling about the trips that I took at the beginning of this school year. My husband and I went to the Holy land for 11 days visiting Jordan, Israel, and Egypt. It was unimaginable the joy we felt when we walked in the same place our Jesus was born, lived, walked, performed the miracles and the sermons, and died. We, my whole family, my husband, our children and Grand children, 9 of us went to Rome and participated in the Canonization of St Alphonsa on October 12th. She was one of our relatives. It was a memorable event where many of our family members from U.S.A. and India came to attend. This was a once in a life time event. What are your hobbies and interests? I love reading, cooking, walking, watching news, and documentaries. What is your educational philosophy? Education is the complete development of a "Whole Person". It helps to attain the intellectual physical, social and emotional skills of a child. Catholic schools provide more than these by nurturing children in our faith, and moral values. Learning is a never ending process starting from birth. The first few years are the most formative time of a child's life. A teacher must promote the exploring and imaginative nature of children by providing activities to stimulate their curiosity and interest. In today's world of varied socio-economic problems a teacher must be more than an educator in academics alone. As the moral and family values are declining day by day, we, as teachers should be more loving, compassionate and sympathetic to the needs of each and every child. Catholic Schools are the ones that are best equipped to promote these and we, in turn bring out responsible and dedicated adults to the community. Regardless of the age of a child, I believe, teaching is the most rewarding job of all. However preschool teaching is the most important one since it is where a child builds the foundation for future education. A teacher is a combination of instructor, counselor, mentor, and motivator. A good teacher will always remain in the hearts of students, as the achievements of each student become an unending joy for the teacher. The service of a teacher is great, but greater is the service of a teacher who can instill in the children an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. |
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