About Me

My name is Courtney Waldmann and I am a student at James Madison University in Virginia. I am from Westchester County, New York. 

For as long as I can remember I’ve planned to be a teacher.  I find working with children to be very rewarding. I have been very lucky to work as a camp counselor, babysitter, and an after school instructor to prepare me for my future endeavors. 

Upon completing my Master's at James Madison University I will be licensed to teach preschool/kindergarten through 6th grade. As an undergraduate student at JMU, I majored in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies (IDLS) and minored in Elementary Education (ELED) and Nonteaching Special Education (Non SPED).

JMU works hard to offer its students practical teaching experiences through different practicum placements. In my junior year I was placed in a practicum classroom in a rural elementary school near the border of West Virginia. My practicum class contained fifteen students consisting of eleven boys and four girls. Being in practicum has helped me to appreciate the commitment each teacher makes for their students. During this practicum I was given the opportunity to orchestrate my own lessons as well as a complete a case study. My case study allowed me to have an in depth look at children's behaviors and learn more about children's development. 

Throughout my time at JMU I have been able to take advantage of numerous courses. During my freshmen year I participated in a service learning course that allowed me to volunteer at a local elementary school and help with center time in a kindergarten class. I was also able to do an independent study when I studied abroad in London. Working with a reading professor at JMU, I designed a children's literature course that allowed me to explore different British works of classic and contemporary children’s literature by conducting studies of each author’s work. The course centered on five specific readings that varied in genres and time periods in addition to numerous picture books. These experiences have helped to prepare for my future endeavors.