Hello, my name is
Dorether Settle. I was born and raised in New York City. I have been
teaching in the New York City public school system for the past
twenty-seven years. I was motivated to become a teacher at an early age.
Being brought up by parents of a southern background, my mother
would say, "You can become anything in life if you put your heart into
it". I guess you can say this is what I did. After graduating
from Erasmus Hall H.S. in 1976, I attended Kingsborough Community
College, majoring in Mental Health. My dream was to work with
handicapped children so I could make a difference in their lives. I
graduated with an Associate Degree in 1978 however, I decided to persue
my education by going on to Brooklyn College. There I majored in Special
Education (CRMD). I received my Bachelor Degree in education in 1981,
and my Master Degree in 1983. That year I took the teacher's exam with
the Board of Education. I was happy to learn that I passed the exam and
received my license for teaching Emotionally Handicapped children . I
was appointed to I.S. 210 in September of 1983. In September of 1984 the
entire staff at I.S.210 moved to a new location. The school was called
M.S. 390. This is where teaching became my passion.
From day one, I
enjoyed teaching very much and expected my students to work to their
fullest potentials. I believed that every student in my class had but
one ambition, to be the best at whatever he or she wished to do. This
is what my mother installed in me, and this is what I wanted to install
in my students. As a teacher of emotionally handicapped students I
needed to help them recognize their individual needs and foster
self-confidence in their individual strengths and abilities. This was a
hard task, however I was able to accomplish these things within the
classroom environment by adhering to the following guidelines below:
First, be positive
in your attitude toward students.
Second, motivate
students by making learning enjoyable.
Third, build up
confidence in students by encouraging them and often showing how proud
you are of them.
Fourth, take time to
discuss the things that are on students' minds, the positive as well as
the negatives.
Finally, let
students perceive your enthusiasm over their improvements, even if the
improvements are but
slight.
Presently, I am
teaching at M.S. 61. I have been teaching there for the past three
years. Teaching is still my passion. I will continue to put my all into
educating students. I firmly believe that today's children hold the key
to the future and can achieve their goals if they put their heart into
it.
