It has dawned on my very late in the early stages of my teaching career that I am getting pretty good at teaching. Achieving decent AIMS scores (doubling the amount of students who pass ;-)) has been attributed somewhere. Whether it is occasional hard work or these education classes I am taking, I am still unsure. But without doubt, I have become a better teacher from CTEL. Amazing, right?
THe classes in which i attribute educational growth is mainly classes that allow and force reflection and dialogue with my fellow teaching cohort. This allows a certain type of true depth in reflection which seems to be the answer for growth. It is my opinion that what makes a teacher an effective one is a teacher who makes the best possible educational decisions. Decisions can only be made with prior knowledge and reflection. Both occur in CTEL, especially classes that facilitate this process.
Furthermore, the basic growth of myself has occurred through the simple knowledge that is pieced together one class at a time. While this knowledge at first seems only tedious and ineffective, the long run payoff (through reflection) certainly is useful.
With all these things said, I believe my biggest growth hasn't come through the successes of my students or my knowledge CTEL has provided. My growth has come through the hard work it has taken to get through CTEL, TFA, and my students (etc.). Being able to put so much on my plate and be able to deliver the results I have achieve now seem unbelievable. Through this hard work, stress, and overall process, I've come to realize that I am capable of so much more. If asked 2 years ago if I'd sign up for something like this, I'd say "no". If I could do it all over again I can't say I'd sign up in a heartbeat either. However, I'm glad I did it, and I am glad its nearing.
A final thank you to the instructors who provided deep critical thinking on educational pedagogy and issues, and those that did not force blogs (jk).
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
How to solve thee education problem
Solving the American education problem (or gap) is quite simple to me. THe answer is creating better teachers. THe how is higher salary. THe why, creates better undergrad/grad programs to become teachers, thus creating a competitiveness to become a teacher.
Applying the same teaching pedagogy to our education system seems fitting. The better teachers will motivate students by creating competition either with themselves or with others, constantly pushing them to achieve. Creating competition seems the best way to not only motivate but bring the best out of people.
Looking at all the top university programs in the country, many take a lot of requirements to get in. Med programs, law programs, etc. all high paying professions have difficult process to get accepted. Our best and brightest flock to these schools because of the pay (knowing they'll need to have a stellar record in order to get in). If we can create the same idea for education majors, our best and brightest will flock, too. And naturally, we will have our best and brightest teaching our future.
Thanks for reading
Applying the same teaching pedagogy to our education system seems fitting. The better teachers will motivate students by creating competition either with themselves or with others, constantly pushing them to achieve. Creating competition seems the best way to not only motivate but bring the best out of people.
Looking at all the top university programs in the country, many take a lot of requirements to get in. Med programs, law programs, etc. all high paying professions have difficult process to get accepted. Our best and brightest flock to these schools because of the pay (knowing they'll need to have a stellar record in order to get in). If we can create the same idea for education majors, our best and brightest will flock, too. And naturally, we will have our best and brightest teaching our future.
Thanks for reading
Monday, February 15, 2010
Happy Time
Prompt: Scale life happiness from 1-10
I believe that happiness is a continuum that shifts at any moment. I've been from 0-10 on any given minute, but when in review of my life as a whole, 10 seems to be fitting without any doubt. While this may seem unrealistic, it is true. I think at times people can often lie to themselves and believe a sense of happiness that may not exist. This false sense of happiness is covered up with a unbreakable optimism in which people wish to falsify in society. I am not one of those people, I think.
I feel at 10 because my relationship with God is strong. I am very appreciative for the things I already have -- which god has taught me to be. The simple things of good health -- I have all working limbs, brain, etc. The list of thankful things are always endless, and the longer the list, the happier one probably is.
Changing subjects... the feeling of being checked out of my responsibilities to my students is also on a continuum. Overall, I would say I am not checked out in the sense of my passion to change students lives (not necessarily students' academics). While my performance, work ethic, and all things combined to prove this may be absent, the feeling still rests with me. Unfortunately, this cannot be measured in any way.
The actions I will make in order to maintain this happiness or even exceed this happiness is continue to be thankful. I am certain that this has been the key to my success and my happiness.
I believe that happiness is a continuum that shifts at any moment. I've been from 0-10 on any given minute, but when in review of my life as a whole, 10 seems to be fitting without any doubt. While this may seem unrealistic, it is true. I think at times people can often lie to themselves and believe a sense of happiness that may not exist. This false sense of happiness is covered up with a unbreakable optimism in which people wish to falsify in society. I am not one of those people, I think.
I feel at 10 because my relationship with God is strong. I am very appreciative for the things I already have -- which god has taught me to be. The simple things of good health -- I have all working limbs, brain, etc. The list of thankful things are always endless, and the longer the list, the happier one probably is.
Changing subjects... the feeling of being checked out of my responsibilities to my students is also on a continuum. Overall, I would say I am not checked out in the sense of my passion to change students lives (not necessarily students' academics). While my performance, work ethic, and all things combined to prove this may be absent, the feeling still rests with me. Unfortunately, this cannot be measured in any way.
The actions I will make in order to maintain this happiness or even exceed this happiness is continue to be thankful. I am certain that this has been the key to my success and my happiness.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Solo Mission
In regards to my ASU Ed. Class...
Prompt: Do something alone that you usually do with people.
I chose go hiking alone. Hiking alone is something I've never done before, not by choice, but by circumstance. This was not a difficult task to do because hiking alone does not bring any sorts of insecurities. The only task at hand was whether or not to complete the mission. Usually, hiking with people is better because I am motivated by others to hike faster, etc. Going alone allowed me to create my own pace and even consider thoughts of stopping.
This experience has taught me that I am better motivated by other people rather than myself. Even with high expectations, I do not have a personal drive to match my expectations of myself.
Prompt: Do something alone that you usually do with people.
I chose go hiking alone. Hiking alone is something I've never done before, not by choice, but by circumstance. This was not a difficult task to do because hiking alone does not bring any sorts of insecurities. The only task at hand was whether or not to complete the mission. Usually, hiking with people is better because I am motivated by others to hike faster, etc. Going alone allowed me to create my own pace and even consider thoughts of stopping.
This experience has taught me that I am better motivated by other people rather than myself. Even with high expectations, I do not have a personal drive to match my expectations of myself.
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