My Personal Changes as an Educator
Just a few years ago, I decided to go back to Michigan State University (online, of course!) to receive my Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Literacy. I was, and still am, teaching in a high need neighborhood in Chicago. My students inspired me to pursue a degree in higher education and be a better teacher. They saw so much crime and negativity in their neighborhood. Many of them had issues or distractions outside of the classroom; however they do not let it disrupt their learning. They had a natural passion for learning. I was a second grade teacher and decided that I wanted to make sure that I was qualified and giving the best services to my students, because that’s what they deserved.
|
As a beginner in the education field, my goals were a bit naive. I did not take into consideration all of the different needs and I was very vague. I simply talked about evolving as a teacher, incorporating new technology and methods into the classroom, and develop with the current, most effective practices. I discussed the importance of differentiation, and stressed that I wanted to improve my classroom management and lesson plans. I did not set goals with strategies to achieve that goal.
My goals haven’t changed, as much as they have evolved and become more specific. I still want my students to be successful. I still believe in the importance of differentiation, technology, leveling, homogenous and heterogeneous student groups, and pre-assessments to find students' background knowledge, and build from there. My classroom showed great progress and growth academically from implementing that consistently into the instruction, assessments, and workshops. I still attend various professional developments often to better myself and update my lessons. |
|