ED 5921 Journal 3

This course has been a wonderful learning experience for me and also a time of great personal growth. I feel that after this semester at MSMC I have a much stronger understanding of lesson planning and deliver than I had before. At the start of the semester, I was very nervous about the planning aspect of being a teacher. I thought that there was no way I could stand in front of a room of 25 children and think of endless creative and interesting ways to educate them. The strange thing is that I have worked as a first and second grade TA since September 2007 and I know that it seems there is never enough time in the day to cover everything you wanted to or hoped to. I also know that the grade level teams I work with constantly share ideas and materials with each other. I now realize that my worries were premature and unfounded. While it is difficult to come up with creative and engaging lessons all by yourself, as a group it can be done successfully.

I have learned in this course that the only way to become a good planner is to do it. My academic coursework prior to this semester did not include much lesson planning. I had written one unit plan (at the adolescent level), one unit assessment, one literacy lesson plan and three special education lesson plans. Throughout this semester, I have written several lesson plans for my Literacy and Technology course, 3 for my special education course and three lessons and one webquest for this course. This semester has focused entirely on lesson planning and also incorporating technology into teaching. Perhaps the source of my initial worries was lack of knowledge and experience. This semester has also been extremely busy time, but I feel that it has been my best learning experience to date. I think the act of actually teaching a lesson that I planned was the most powerful and educational experience for me. I learned that no matter what you plan, there can still be a monkey wrench thrown into the mix if a student gives an unexpected answer. I learned that I definitely need to watch the clock and ask the students questions to keep them involved. I learned not to talk when I am facing the board. I also learned that I am probably not going to ever have as much time as I need, especially for struggling students. The soup-to-nuts experience of my fieldwork lesson showed me what my job will actually be like. For the remainder of that day, I was so happy because I knew I had made the right career choice. Certainly, this was a challenging task, but I learned all of these things about myself as a teacher before I even begin my student teaching. Even during the lesson I realized that I needed to project my voice more and speak to the class, not the board. Those are such simple behaviors, but you really don’t think about them until you are actually doing it.
I was nervous during my fieldwork lesson, but I was also happy and excited. It was such a wonderful feeling to be in front of the room explaining how to do something and then see them doing it. The students had wanted to learn about multiplying two 2-digit numbers for a while, so I did have an advantage in that the students wanted to learn it. I asked my cooperating teacher the week after my fieldwork lesson how the students were doing with their homework and quizzes and he said that approximately ¾ of the class can do it well, which is his usual mastery outcome (this is an inclusion class and many of his students still do not know their multiplication facts). I was so happy to hear that they were now doing word problems with the strategy I taught them. To some people it may seem funny that something so simple could bring me so much satisfaction, but the truth is that after this semester I am so excited to be a teacher. I love my job as a TA now, and I think this semester has alleviated many of my fears about planning.

I have also learned through creating my webquest, evaluating my peer’s lesson plans and our class lectures that there is so much information out there for teachers to use to make learning fun. You can find just about anything you need on the internet, or you can ask a “seasoned” teacher for materials/ideas. Our class presentations were fun and I enjoyed the lessons that let me “do stuff” or tested what I already knew. The hands-on component of learning is what attracted me to the lessons. My favorite lesson plan this semester was also my indirect lesson in which I organized centers for science experiments. I also like learning in which I get to “teach myself” and I think this is a very important aspect in education. In this course I have learned that 21st century learning skills heavily rely on these attributes, and I am going to be sure to have them in my classroom. I think it is important to let kids play an active role in their own learning; teaching the process of research and discovery is just as important as the lesson content itself.

In this course I also learned that it is difficult to do any one method of instruction in teaching; rather lessons are usually a combination of methods. Teachers should not rely on one “tried and true” way of teaching either; they should incorporate each method of instruction into the curriculum. I absolutely loved the Kay Toliver films we watched in class. I aspire to be as good of an educator as her. She is so creative and nurturing; she truly has a natural gift in the classroom. One thing I will always try to do is to give my students hands-on activities like her. I know that not every lesson can be as involved as the lessons we watched in her room, but I would like to try to do big experiments like that maybe twice a month. I want to “mix it up” so that my students do not get too bored or comfortable with any one method of instruction. Also, research supports differentiated instruction, which I will use in my classroom as well. In this class I learned that the most commonly used form of teaching is direct instruction , which I also saw was the dominant method in my observation classroom. But, my cooperating teacher also engaged the students and allowed them to explain what they knew and ask and answer questions, so this was not “pure” DI. I found it incredibly difficult to write my direct instruction lesson plan because it did not allow for much student involvement. I was fortunate enough to be observing in a room that has a mounted Smart Board in it and the teacher used it every day. He always let the students come up to the board and write on it and answer questions. The students loved doing this and it was a huge motivator for them.

My cooperating teacher also did a lot of small group instruction for reading. While he was working with groups, the remainder of the class was working on their weekly assignments. He gives his students a lot of independence, which I think is a good environment for 4th graders. Their independence also teaches them time and behavior management. Approximately half of his class has a 504 or IEP for ADD, and there are also LD and one autistic learner. He maintains a positive attitude with his students and instructs them on his expectations and responsibilities. There are no major behavior problems that I have seen in my 20+ hours of observation, and his students respond to him extremely well. He does not raise his voice, which I think is important in behavior and classroom management. I had a discussion with my cooperating teacher about classroom management and he said that some of the students have “tough” parents. For this reason, he tries to maintain an environment in which all students feel safe and respected. I believe that if a teacher models positive behaviors and maintains an open and caring environment, the students will also adopt those values. I know that there will always be discipline issues in schools, but I believe it is the teacher who sets the tone in the classroom. As a teacher, I will be sure to clearly state classroom rules and consequences and display them. I will also be sure to make a poster for rewards for good behavior for individuals and the entire class. I have learned that the most important thing for classroom discipline is to remain consistent. This may be difficult at times, but it is crucial for a positive environment. As far as classroom management goes, I will be sure to begin the school year organized and make sure that I always have materials I need in advance. I will also ask more experienced teachers for advice because I believe the best way to have good classroom management is through experience. Seeing what works and what doesn’t is the only way to learn. I also won’t be afraid to try new and different techniques in my classroom because I understand that what works for one person does not necessarily work for another.
I think that I have been very fortunate this semester. By chance I ended up taking three great planning classes together, and I was able to integrate new knowledge from all three areas with each other. It has been very enlightening to learn about methods of instruction and literacy and technology all at the same time. There is a non-exhausting supply of information and teaching tools on the internet. I think that knowing what is out there for teachers to use is the first step towards using it. Now that I know what there is and how to use it, I am not afraid of introducing technology into the classroom. It can only enhance a lesson to use a technological tool to supplement instruction. Technology teaching tools reach all different types of learners and also engage students who lack motivation. I have learned that you can find almost anything on the internet to accompany a lesson, and what you can’t find you can make. All it takes is time invested, and I think the return that is seen in the classroom is well worth it.

In the fall I will begin my student teaching. My first placement is with my cooperating teacher and I am very excited to get started. Now that I have completed this course, I feel that I am prepared to begin student teaching. As I mentioned before, the fieldwork lesson was a fantastic “trial run” of what it will be like to student teach. I am still nervous about beginning my experience, but I am also assured. My cooperating teacher has been an educator for over 35 years, and I know he will be a fantastic mentor. I also feel fortunate that he loves using technology in the classroom and is open to trying new things. My attitudes and values about teaching match his, which will help me learn to be a successful educator. Above all else, I have learned in this class that you really need to be in the job for the students. All of the lesson preparation and activities need to be for them- what interests them and what will give them the best understanding of the content. I cannot wait to take all of the invaluable information and lessons I have learned this semester and put them to work.

Journal Entry 2- Objectives and Assessment

These past two weeks of class have gone by so fast! I feel like I am traveling in the fast lane. Well, I guess three classes, a part time job, homework and the rest of life can make you busy! I have no idea how the students who are teaching and have families do it! It’s all part of the job, huh? Albeit a busy two weeks, I have learned a tremendous amount of information that will certainly help me in my future career. Our week three class focused on the learning cycle, Bloom’s taxonomy and writing performance objectives. All of these topics were evident in our class readings, especially Bloom’s taxonomy.

The one quote from our reading that I truly loved was “real learning occurs when a student can transform his/her understanding in a different form of content interpretation: visual, verbal, tactile, etc.” That couldn’t be more true. The reading then goes on to say that learning is active and interactive. I think that this is also important to remember when teaching- if your kids aren’t interested, there will be no learning. But this is somewhat of a catch 22- If the kids aren’t interested, then they won’t learn. But, if they are not paying attention, they won’t know when (or if) the lesson does get good! Dr. Hall said the trick is to plan, plan, plan and make sure you have everything prepared in advance. Indeed, transition is a time when you can loose the kids and possibly waste more time getting them back; I have seen it time and time again as a Teaching Assistant. These are the lessons they really need to teach in school, and I am so glad Dr. Hall gives us those little tidbits of information. She is saving us a lot of aggravation by preventing us learning these things the hard way!

Our February 7th class began with microteaching on performance objectives. Marcia had made a “Jingle” that gave an example objective. I think the clapping rhythm definitely helped everyone remember the objective because we were repeating the phrase while we were clapping. I also absolutely loved the witch and frog example! The microteaching team definitely did a good job engaging the whole class, and I also thought that students would love how she made it “more fun” with speeding up the rhythm. That is another excellent teaching tool! Their anticipatory set definitely did get the class started. Their presentation explained Bloom’s, which I believe goes hand in hand with objectives, and also gave us a great working model to work on improving an objective. Our class also worked on an objectives worksheet that contained several objectives that needed tweaking. Many of these objectives were written in the special education format, which I think I am prone to writing because I just took Teaching Students w/Disabilities I last semester and I am in II now. I have written lesson plans for other classes before, and I do feel somewhat comfortable writing goals and objectives, but I think I can always use more practice. I need to get into the habit of writing objectives differently based on the needs and abilities of my students so I know this activity definitely helped me start to distinguish between a special ed and a general ed objective. In class we also did some exercises identifying standards- which are directly related to goals and objectives. I think the key to a good lesson is incorporating content from other areas in an interesting way because it helps kids make connections. As I quoted above, learning is when a student can take information and make it their own, Only when they can relate information from one source to another do they really understand it. Using multiple content areas in a lesson definitely sets up the ground work for doing that. Also, another reason I was happy to discuss standards in class is that I had to find out the hard way in Methods for Adolescence (ED5251) how to properly write standards in a unit plan. I did not know that you had to write national and state standards, and also include performance indicators, and I lost major points because of it. This was one of my first classes at the Mount, and I did a lot of learning as I went. Ooops. But, I was glad that we went over it now for the students who were in m shoes that day in class and also for the review. Our class also reviewed the MSMC lesson plan format, which is long but thorough. I always appreciate the recaps of what goes where, mainly because I still have my special ed lesson plan hat on. Switching gears keeps me on my toes! Our final class activity for the evening was determining how much of any given information someone remembers the next day. As a class we guessed percentages for discussing, reading, seeing, hearing, doing, and teaching information and we were surprised at how low the actual numbers were! The best way for someone to remember information is to have them teach or do it, which is incredibly important to remember for the classroom.

In our February 14th class the class discussed assessment and evaluation, and we also reviewed the different between the two. Assessment involves collecting information, and evaluation involves interpreting it. In order to tailor our instruction to the students’ needs, we need to do both of these. Our microteacher, Kristina, also mentioned the three types of assessment (diagnostic, formative, and summative), and when and how to do each. This was great information to know before our direct instruction lesson plans are due! Her anticipatory set included an extremely difficult test and a student who was upset that it was so unfair. This does happen in classrooms, and it was a great example of what not to do. The skit was funny and it actually relaxed the class as well. There are also two types of assessment, traditional and authentic, I think both are valid in their own way, and we should offer both to our students. There are so many learning styles in any one classroom that we absolutely must offer more than one means of testing to see what kids know. I like that we also discussed rubrics, because I think I can definitely use some practice on how to do them., In class we also discussed resources that have pre-made rubrics online, which is excellent to know. I have learned from experience with other classes that it can be very time consuming to make a rubric! I also had a lot of trouble deciding what number scale to use, what aspects to evaluate, how many aspects, etc. The list goes on. Being able to get a pre-made rubric (or even just using one to give you a basic frame to construct your own) is extremely helpful. By giving us these resources, it is also more likely that we will use them as teachers. I absolutely love the idea of rubrics- this way, the student knows what it expected of them before the project begins, and they also know how they can go above and beyond. Teachers can easily award points for areas where the student performed well and also make comments on areas that need improvement. I prefer this opposed to assigning one flat grade on an overall job. Rubrics give kids more feedback, and also a chance to improve (or supplement) areas of weakness. Another activity we did in class was watch videos on direct instruction. Our first video was on a second grade math teacher. Her lesson was a fabulous example of direct instruction, but the lesson itself was incredibly long. Our class also discussed transitioning during a lesson and what could have been done differently to make the lesson more “student friendly”. It was good to see some examples of DI before we prepared our rough draft of our lesson plans. The second video we watched was a definite non-example. This teacher cramped her kindergarten students in one corner of the room and was not engaging to say the least. I was happy that Dr. Hall gave us a good example of DI and also a bad example because it set the bar on both ends. It kind of created a high and low point in my head where I should fall between. That in itself was a good lesson for teachers- the power of providing non-examples as well as examples. Kids need to know both in order to do well.

These past two weeks in class have gone by incredibly fast, and have been saturated with information on writing goals and objectives and assessing students. I think it is great that we are learning these two skills at the beginning of the semester because I think they will have a tremendous impact on how we construct our lesson plans and also our webquests. So much of teaching depends on what we expect from our students, and we also need to make sure that our assessments are designed to measure our objectives accurately. We have actually covered almost every single component of our MSMC lesson plan in just these two weeks! All in all, I think our class is going well and I feel like I am definitely getting the tools I need to effectively and creatively teach my students.

ED5921 General Methods of Instruction Journal Entry 1

Two weeks ago a new semester started at MSMC and I have begun three new classes. I am excited about that, because it means I am well on my way to finally student teaching and finishing my degree. The first night of my Methods class was a nice, relaxing overview. My class is using WebCT again, which I know how to use but find can be a pain to deal with at times. I could tell that there were a lot of people in the class who have not had much internet or WebCT experience before, which I understand can be scary. I always try to remember how hard it is to try new things, especially since I am going to one day be a teacher myself. I always want to have that empathetic element for my students so that I can create an ideal learning environment. There does seem to be a lot of work involved in this course, but I have heard from many people who have taken the course that you learn a tremendous amount of information on preparing lessons, which is definitely what I need. I feel that I do not have the creative mind to make interesting and engaging lessons that will make kids want to learn. I do think it’s silly for me to feel this way- every teacher I know never has enough time, yet I am scared that I will have nothing for my kids to do!

I thought that the questionnaires in the week 1 readings were both informative and interesting. I think that a lot of people don’t think about what and how they are, and how it differs from who and what they want to be. Maybe that’s the secret to being a good teacher- constant metacognition and evaluating personal performance. I found that the age groups I prefer most (almost equally) were the 5-6 and 7-8 year olds. Both were approximately 70%. I work with first and second graders in my teaching assistant job and I have found that I really like second grade; first grade is a little too low in the beginning months for me. But, now that the year is half-way over, first graders are not too bad either. I would take any teaching job for any grade level. I like the academics of the older grades and I just like kids in general. So, any job would be nice. As far as educational philosophies go, I am a cognitvism/constructivism and information processing educator. I have always thought that any individual will only retain information he or she finds relevant to themselves, and have always been a huge advocate of authentic learning. I also believe that the human mind is a sieve for information ; our minds have countless capabilities and if a person understands the underlying concepts in any given situation, he or she will be able to remember it. I scored lowest in the behavioral philosophy, and I am actually happy about that. I studied behaviorism in undergrad (I was a psych minor) and I also did some research on behavioral theories in ED5210 in January. I think that a behaviorist theory is results-driven and is all about shaping individuals to conform to a pre-determined outcome. I cannot teach or learn like that. I also am somewhat reassured that my test scores are accurate because I knew I did not like that teaching style from the get-go, and I was happy to see my scores reflect my true feelings. I think that the study skills survey also helped me evaluate how I am doing in the schoolwork area. I think that study habits are definitely something that changes over time- and it should be evaluated periodically. I am happy that I took this survey and thought about how I am performing academically; this semester is going to be a busy one and I need to stay focused! I definitely cannot work unless I am organized- and this survey allowed me to “re-center” my thinking cap.

I enjoyed our second class meeting as well. I like learning about the basics of teaching- basically the “what” of the job- before I learn the “how”. It helps form an organized mental picture of what is expected of me and helps me to strategize the best way to do it. I also liked that there were visual diagrams along with the reading materials for the class- I am a very visual learner and I think that the pictures help my “mental scaffold”. I liked the lesson plan project very much as well. I liked that we god to brainstorm with a partner- I think the best ideas are generated this way . My partner, Kristen, and I came up with a lesson plan for measuring ingredients that would be used for making a casserole. She came up with the idea, and I thought it was fantastic. What is funny is that I also was glad we got to remain in our seats to present our lesson plans. I know it sounds funny, but I think all graduate students get nervous when they need to present to the class. And we are all going to school to be teachers- I think it is so weird! But, perhaps it is just being amongst peers, its more of public speaking than teaching- I guess. I am not a teacher yet, and speaking in front of the class does not bother me. But, I did think that the assignment was more relaxed and comfortable for the class because Dr. Hall kept it “low key”. It was a great opening assignment that got creative and collaborative juices flowing. I also think the class’s attitude towards WebCT changed a little bit- I think once people begin using technology it helps them to realize that it isn’t so bad. All in all, it has been a great first two weeks in class, and I am excited to begin doing more!

Farewell ED5210

Last night was the last night of ED5210. Looking back on these last three weeks, I cannot believe how much I have learned about teaching! The readings and discussions really made me develop a stronger sense of what school is to children. I suppose the most important thing I learned is that it will be my responsibility as a teacher to help each student make the most out of his or her education. Every student comes in with something to offer to the rest of the students, and every student also has something that interests them. I just need to be able to discover it. I am really going to miss this class. I enjoy being busy, and this class kept me busier than most! I enjoyed the group work- it is nice to have shared responsibility, and two (or more) heads is definately greater than one! Like I said in a past entry, working with others helps everyone use their "untapped" gifts; it brings out the strengths of everyone in the group. This is also important in today's schools. I think this class was the most hands-on and practical class I have taken to date. That alone was a good lesson, considering I was able to learn a TON of new information in a short amount of time! After this class, I am even more excited to soon become a teacher!

The nature of schools in the education of children is to provide them with what they need, be it clothes, a computer, a place to feel safe, a fun lesson about learning to add double digit numbers, acceptance, anything. Our job is not to just give kids stuff they need to know. We need to prepare them for the world beyond school. These kids really are our future, and they will only be as successful as we teach them to be. The nature of a school is to encourage kids, and help them develop their own strengths. School is where kids learn to tie it all together- learning, fun, compassion, respect, curiosity...Everything they will need to be a member of society. So, the nature of school is simple- provide and encourage. And it all starts with me, the teacher. So, it is with a bittersweet heart that I say farewell to ED5210 and my group and my professor...But I think that the skills and experiences they have all given me will certainly last a lifetime.

Thank You All!

Journal Entry 3

As I look back on all of the assignments and research I have completed during these last three weeks, I am truly amazed with how much I have learned from this course. Truthfully, I did not expect to do or learn as much as I did, and I am really glad I chose to take Ed 5210. I have developed as a learner and as a teacher. In this short time I have made my own webpage, my own blog, my own wiki, learned how to do a podcast, and have even become a better typist! I also learned about a lot of new websites like letterpop that can help me when I have a classroom of my own.

I think the most important thing I learned from this class is how crucial it is to implement technology in the classroom, and I also learned several ways in which to do it. I am very excited about developing projects such as my webpage- I think I am now addicted! What surprised me the most is how quick and easy these things actually are. Many technological tools just take a few clicks of the mouse and some creative thought. I could not believe how many great tools there are out there that are completely free- all you need is a computer and the internet! The most beautiful thing that technology adds to the classroom is that it gives you boundary-less information. You can go virtually anywhere in the world, and you can even have classes taught anywhere in the world! There is no limit to the information you can find, and the connections you can make. The way people are learning and communicating has evolved into such a fast-paced whirlwind of knowledge, it blows your mind to think that teachers are not using it to its fullest potential! As a teacher, I am going to make an effort to have my kids on the computer every day if I can.

In this class, I learned how the roles of the teacher are shifting from a “lecturer” to a caregiver to their students. Many students have special needs and different learning styles, and I feel that it is the teacher’s responsibility to try everything in his/her power to make a connection to the students. Moreover, I think it is the “new school” of teachers who are going to have to assume primary responsibility in changing the way kids are taught. Much of these new educational reforms must begin in the classroom, and in order for these changes to work, there must be willing and dedicated educators at the forefront. I have mentioned before that I think it takes a special kind of person to be a teacher. There must be an underlying intelligence with the desire to do good in the life of someone else. I think this is also what separates us from other nations and shows us just how far we’ve come. We have gone from a traditional pencil-and-paper unit to caring about the individual student’s needs. This change is not completely finished, however. But I think it is a huge start knowing the initiative is there. We as a nation have begun to see education in terms of the individual, much like the laws of our society are meant to protect the individual. We live in a country where people are free to express themselves- why not let it into the schools?

What is fascinating is that school is a mini of society. I had never viewed a school like that before I took this class. I don’t think I thought about it much at all, to tell you the truth. I think that I am at a big disadvantage not being a teacher yet. I feel like I have so much to learn still that I may never be ready for my own class. It is important to constantly incorporate different cultures into the classroom, simply to appeal to all learners and to teach students tolerance. I feel that much of the disagreements in the world today across cultures are due to lack of education and understanding. That is something that can only benefit from learning about these things starting at a young age. I learned the most about political influence in education through my group’s presentation on political issues in educational reform. I never knew that so much of America’s money went to education (almost half!), and this bill runs to over $500 billion! That is a lot of moolah! But still, I find it ironic that this is seldom enough for schools. I think it is sad that funding has been (and it seems like it always will be) an issue. I also think that it definitely isn’t going into the teachers’ pockets! (But, as I have discussed in previous blogs, good teachers are in it for the kids, not the money).

One thing I am glad I learned in this class is the differences in education that students receive. I think public schools are a great “melting pot” in the sense that there is a diverse student population in most schools, including students with special needs. However, I think that one downfall to the public school system is that we cannot guarantee that students of different racial or economic backgrounds is receiving the same education. I think that our school system still favors families of higher economic status, which is also usually a white family. In order to improve on this, I would like to use as much differentiated instruction as possible. I want to make sure that I am able to reach every child in my classroom, and that each of them gains knowledge and understanding from the curriculum. I also want to make sure that all ethnic groups are represented and celebrated in my room. This can be done through thematic units, parent/guest speakers, and research presentations.

It is crucial to involve kids in their own learning. I think that allowing a student to have some sense of control over their education creates a feeling of autonomy and relevance to learning new things. Kids need to know that it is their responsibility to learn and use new knowledge; otherwise, they will not be ready to succeed in the real world. One of the greatest gifts a teacher can give to their students is the ability to be inquisitive and ask “Why”. It is this mentality that allows for changes to happen, and for our society to intellectually advance itself. Without these gifted minds, there is no progress. After taking this course, I have realized that our world is changing how we communicate and how we learn, and we as teachers need to adapt to that. As a teacher, I must be flexible. I must be okay with trying new things and be patient with them. I must always think about my students, and the world they will be living in. I am happy to say, this class has both taught me these requirements, and helped me develop professionally so that I may one day rise to these challenges.

Types of Schools- variety IS the spice of life

With so many choices out there, I wonder how people choose what type of a teacher to be and what’s more- how to choose where to send your kids! I would have to say that out of all of the school choices out there, I most want to work in a public school. Aside from the great insurance benefits and union, there is a certain aura about a public school: it is the miniature of society. I think it is the diversity of a public school that gives it its flair. It is a place for everyone; all students “belong” there. I do think that if parents can afford a private school that may be a better choice, but then kids are only learning with a specific group of other students. Many times, it is the financially well-off families that send their children to a private school. Granted, more money usually means better education. But, if you take away the invaluable lessons students learn about acceptance, tolerance, and working with people who are different from you, you are taking away the whole core of a student’s education. School is the means by which children become assimilated into American society. Other countries have rights-of-passage and religious ceremonies, and we are still brought up by our parents, but much of our preparation for the real world comes from what we learn in school. We learn about laws, rules, personal space, respect, authority, rewards and consequences, how to share, and most importantly, how to get along with others. I feel that private schools are more willing to let discipline issues go and if a child comes from a well-off family, they most likely don’t need to share anything because all of the kids have it.

I do think that magnet schools are an excellent alternative to a mainstream public school. Even though I am an advocate for the public school system, I do feel that there are large areas that need improvement. As I mentioned earlier, all kids to “belong” to public school, but that doesn’t mean public school works for everyone. I think it is terrible that public schools simply don’t work for some kids, and I see this as a failure on the schools part. Some kids need more to succeed, and this can get expensive. I know that this becomes a wild tug-of-war between schools, families, and the tax-paying public. But, I do feel that the teacher’s attitude towards kids can go a long way, and it is definitely free. However, I see the emergence of magnet schools as a light at the end of the tunnel for many students. There are plenty of students out there that are simply not interested in literature or home economics. These kids need the hands on that a magnet school can offer. Or children from broken or impoverished homes can get an education that will give them a chance to be something. The specialized training that kids get from magnet schools makes them more marketable to big Universities or gives them vocational training to get a career job right out of high school.

Now that I think about it, teaching in a magnet school would probably be a good job for me as well. I have a B.S. in Biology, and I love the sciences. Teaching a higher-level biology class and having a lab section would be something I would love to do- and the thing with magnet schools is that the students WANT to be there and learn. I feel that in a public middle or high school, many kids aren’t interested, or they don’t understand. So, they don’t do their work or they cut class. In a magnet school, teachers probably wouldn’t have to deal with that too often because none of the students have that attitude. Also, the selectivity of the programs would probably have some consequence or expulsion with behavior like that.

Charter schools are also a good saving grace for the public school system. In our readings, I read about the “ripple effect” that charter schools have on the community. I think this phenomenon is both amazing and wonderful. Not only does it improve the education and test scores of the students that attend it. But the school also raises the bar for the neighboring public schools as well. This is almost a “shame on the public schools” situation, though. It shows that many urban schools only do just enough for the kids- they don’t improve unless they have to. On the more positive side, I guess it prevents more schools from “crossing over” to charter. It gives these other schools a second chance to save themselves before the public steps in. I think that in order to work in a charter school, the teacher needs to be a specific type of person though. There definitely cannot be a “summers off” teacher working there. I think it is probably those teachers that made it turn charter in the first place. I think that the teachers need to be there for the kids, and want to give them everything they can to make their education the best it can be. Charter schools are almost like putting a pot of boiling water under the teachers that have a cushy tenure. It wakes them up, and reminds them of why they actually have a job- to help kids! I think I would love to work in a charter school, but I would just be a little concerned about health insurance and union stuff.

I saved home schooling for last on purpose. I think that home schooling can be a good thing for some families, but I would never, ever home school my children. I think that I could be a good teacher for them, mainly because my mom is a very smart woman and she gave me a good example of motherhood. But, I think that parents are teachers for their children in much a different way than a teacher in the classroom. Children need to develop autonomy from their parents, and I think that home schooling prevents a lot of that development. I also mentioned earlier that public schools teach students many things besides a curriculum. They get so much out of school, and I think that home schooling cannot provide this same education. I do respect people’s choices to home school, but I know it is definitely not for me.

So, all of that being said, I think that it is a great thing that there are so many different choices for parents in choosing what is right for their children. We all don’t learn exactly the same, so it wouldn’t make sense to send everyone to the same types of schools. I think it is the freedom of choice that also makes our school systems better- it creates a sort of “competition” between schools, and gives them a system of “checks and balances” to meet. Having a choice keeps any one school from forming a “monopoly” in which they do not strive for the best and push the students to succeed. It is this choice that keeps the government, school administration, teachers, students and the public all on their toes.

Technology- Friend, not Foe

I have been doing work for my ED5210 class for two whole weeks now and I have to say that I am not only very comfortable using different internet resources, but I am also excited to brainstorm ways I can use them while teaching. The funny thing is, I am getting more used to doing my classwork online and meeting with my group, but my class is over in less than one week! Isn’t it funny how those things work out? I love to be busy, and this course has definitely done that for me. The time I spend with my group and researching materials for our projects seems to fly by; I can literally get lost in time on the internet! But, I also think about all of the topics we have discussed and realize that it is not just the podcasts and the blogging and my wiki. I have really developed as a professional. I have asked myself what type of teacher I think I am going to become, and also what type of teacher I want to be. When I look back on these two weeks I can’t help but say, “Wow, you’ve come a long way, baby!”