Introductory blog

Hello there my name is Krystal Bujeiro-Hines, Bujeiro is my maiden name and Hines is my married (I just couldn't give up being a Bujeiro!)

Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher and while I was in high school my passing for children with special needs began to blossom! Even as I began college teaching was my passion and there was nothing or no one who could change my mind about that! My professional career began and still continues to be working with children who are emotionally and behaviorally disabled (EBD). While working in this field a new passion began to rise in me and that was working with the same population only not in a classroom but in an organization that offers them help and services. My new professional goals are to be able to work for a non-profit that caters to helping mentally ill children and their families. One day I would love to open up a non-profit for mentally ill children and their families where we can offer support, trainings, counseling, and a safe place for those children to be children.
The most exciting part about grad school is that it is at UF!! I have dreamt of being a Gator since middle school! Putting that aside I am excited for a new adventure. Teaching is not what it used to be and now everything is geared towards a test that is supposed to determine how bright a child is and how effective a teacher is. Working with the population I work with I have seen how this approach to education is causing them to feel inadequate therefore exasperating their frustrations and feelings of inadequacies. I am excited about getting my masters and becoming more educated in a field that has become dear to my heart. I believe that in order to be the best I can be I need to properly understand how the family and community can work together to help this population of children.
I spent my first two years attending Florida International University and then transferred to Palm Beach Atlantic University receiving my degree in Elementary Education K-6, Exceptional Student Education K-12, and ESOL Endorsed. I have been teaching EBD students 6 years in a self contained classroom at a cluster sight in a regular elementary school. Through this teaching position I have received several trainings on de-escalation techniques, social skills training, and restraint. With my degree in education theory was covered through many of my classes. Although I cannot remember the exact names of the classes many of the theories taught dealt with the importance of differentiated instruction, connections between home life and student progress, and the importance of community involvement in the success of a child. I also learned about the theorists such as Freud, Kohlberg, Locke, Maslow, etc and the impact they had on educational learning.
In my opinion family theory is important in order to successfully serve your community in the field of non-profit. As a teacher I have come to appreciate any and all trainings I have been to that discuss the family and the different roles and expectations. In order to know how to serve a child I need to understand how they view family, once I have that understanding I can develop a plan to serve them better.
Some personal information on me: I have two dogs, a fox terrier and beagle/Dodson mix
I am married with no children
I have two jobs: I am teacher and nanny to two wonderful children
My husband is a trained chef who a year ago decided he wanted to serve his country and joined the Navy as naval police (MA)
I love country music
I am Florida girl born and raised
I have a younger sister and brother
I enjoy training for different races including half marathons and mud runs