Fostering student curiosity
“I wanted to work in a department where the students were eager to learn,” explains Professor Janese Daniels. “And then go out and serve children and families across Maryland.”
Janese Daniels began teaching at Towson University in 2006.
“I was drawn to Towson because of the early childhood education program’s outstanding reputation,” Daniels says. “I wanted to work in a department where the students were eager to learn and then go out and serve children and families across Maryland. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
She explains that now more than ever, there’s a critical need for teachers at this level. “Early childhood teachers need to be committed to young children. They need to be well-rounded in order to teach all subjects and know how to apply theory appropriately in a given situation.”
“ I would say the most important thing to remember is that families trust early childhood educators to believe in their children, to nurture them and to teach them. ”
Daniels’ research interests include family literacy practices, Head Start programs, at-risk families, and technology use in the early childhood classroom. She’s also an active campus citizen, serving on the Academic Senate Student Appeals and the University International Initiatives Committees. Daniels has also written book chapters on literacy and presented work on the integration of technology in education at national conferences.
As a teacher, fostering graduate students’ natural curiosity about the world and encouraging them to challenge the status quo is a priority for Daniels.
“I want to teach students to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and to serve as advocates for young children and families. I believe it is important to create an environment where students feel challenged, yet supported, so that they can become critical thinkers.”
She adds that teachers need to remember that students’ families have expectations when they send their children to school.
“I would say the most important thing to remember is that families trust early childhood educators to believe in their children, to nurture them and to teach them. Most important, they trust early childhood teachers to care for their children.”