Reflection

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).

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