Following Her Dream: Ain't Nothing Like My Job at the Kindergarten
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- "The dream career I've been aspiring for"
Meet Emely Busse, a 20-year-old powerhouse who's making waves at the inclusive kindergarten "Rheinlinge" in Mainz. Since January, she's been working alongside pedagogical specialists, turning her childhood dream into a reality. "Each day I find myself walking through those kindergarten doors, it fills me with a sense of accomplishment," Emely gushes. "This is the job I've always yearned for."
With a "printable" crowd of 90 kids aged between six months to six years, this full-day Pre-K welcomes both ordinary and extraordinary kiddos. in.betrieb, Gesellschaft für Teilhabe und Integration, the kindergarten's operator, embarked on a trailblazing pilot project with Emely, alongside the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Education's backing. The ministry representative hinted that such projects are scarce in Germany's landscape.
Emely has a soft spot for storytime
Emely’s learning pace is glacial compared to most, and her math skills are her Achilles' heel. However, her German language proficiency is admirable, especially considering her capacity for eloquent speech. "I adore reading aloud," says Emely, a sentiment echoed by the adorable tots in the snail group who hang on her every word during Easter bunny stories. Playing, comforting, and being a constant source of support for the little ones during times of distress are what makes Emely's 9-to-5 meaningful.
Emely's chance to step into her dream role filled her with immense joy and pride. Her previous acquaintance with the facility stemmed from a nine-month social internship with in.betrieb at both a retirement home and the kindergarten. After her internship ended, she landed the advertised position, despite initial doubts about her odds against other applicants.
Emely's journey wasn't always a walk in the park. After high school, she floundered for over a year, unsure of her path. Elementary school was particularly rough; the lack of camaraderie took a toll on her. "The others didn't see me as one of them. They avoided me because they sensed my difference," Emely recalls. Post-elementary school, she attended a special school until her journey to Rhine Kindergarten took flight.
Emely takes pride in her role
According to Sarah Alt, head of the kindergarten department at in.betrieb, Emely's emotional intelligence shines in conflict situations, and the children accept people as they are, prejudices be damned. Emely's responsibilities include guiding the children to wash hands, supervising outdoor play, assisting during mealtimes, and occasionally sharing enchanting audiobooks.
She steers clear of documentation, development talks, and strategic planning, freeing the pedagogical specialists to focus on those essential tasks. Meike Bischof, a pedagogical specialist in the snail group, notes the striking transformation Emely has undergone in a matter of weeks, now showing no signs of fear when confronted with challenges.
"Being wrapped up in a blanket was initially a challenge, but I've got the hang of it now," Emely agrees. She remains cautious when lifting children or running around due to her scoliosis and asthma. However, she admits to feeling apprehensive during tantrums and disagreements among the tots.
Bischof, aspiring to pursue a master's degree, is awestruck by Emely's rapid progress and newfound confidence. "She's fearless," Bischof exclaims.
- Inclusion
- Children
- Mainz
- Woman
- Dream job
- Skills gap
- Integration
- Germany
- Emotional intelligence
- Emely Busse's dream job at the inclusive kindergarten "Rheinlinge" in Mainz is part of a pilot project run by in.betrieb, Gesellschaft für Teilhabe und Integration. This project supports individuals with disabilities, such as Emely, to secure vocational training and employment opportunities.
- Despite initial doubts about her post-high school path and a skills gap in areas like math, Emely's resilience and determination have seen her progress in her role at the kindergarten, displaying remarkable emotional intelligence in managing children's behavior.
- The "Community policy" of Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Education supports trailblazing projects like the one at Emely's kindergarten, highlighting the importance of vocational training and integration for people with disabilities across Germany.
