Credentials That Will Make a Difference

In principles of education in training, we are studying the different types of degrees and different colleges to explore our future options. I've completed this blog in response to the prompt found here.

Issues in Education: How Much Do Voters Know?

Find the prompt for the writing below here.

Forty percent of people asked were not aware of who the secretary of education is and only one person was fully correct on the three priority initiatives being addressed in the education system. This shows that many people are not staying very involved in issues that can soon affect them. With our democratic system here people like this could have an important say in decisions made with voting and educational issues.

I think it would be helpful to show more issues like these on the news and on television. Rather than informing people on the latest celebrity gossip they could be getting informed on important issues facing the U.S. today. Another thing that could help would be if more teachers discussed these things in class. If we were learning about these things at school not only could teachers stay informed but we would probably end up passing the awareness around to others.

Others are wondering the same thing and addition information can be found here.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/opinions/betsy-devos-has-a-lot-of-work-to-do-on-charter-schools-opinion-perry/

It's All About Me - How I Best Learn!

This is my response to the assignment you can find here.

2. My Learning Style
The graph showed me I am primarily a visual learner, meaning I learn and memorize best by seeing. I think activities such as watching a video or having organized notes to read and study help me learn best. I am also a secondary auditory learner (learn by hearing things), it ofter helps to hear information read to me as I look at it or as I picture it in my head.

Click here for more information about visual learners!


3. My Multiple Intelligences
More than anything I am a musical/rhythmic person. This means I am good with rhythm and sound patterns, and I enjoy things involved with music. I might learn best by creating a song to help myself remember it rather than just flat memorization. I am also interpersonal, or good with communication. I prefer self-paced work or group activities. An example of this would be having a group project where everyone works together and has a job rather than doing one by myself.


Click here to learn about musical intelligence.


4. My Hemisphericity Preference
I am primarily a global learner. 

• like working with others
• I like humor/stories
• I need a big picture before a step-by-step
• I let others go first
• I get distracted by facial expressions

I might say things like "I'll do it later" or "I need a break!"

5. My True Colors

The last of our self-assessments in class revealed to me that my personality categorizes me as blue. Some characteristics include:

• warm
• helpful
• compassionate
• caring
• people oriented
• unique
• communicative
• getting along
• happy endings
• affectionate

Bad day: Lying to save face, withdrawal, crying or depression, fantasy, and daydreaming.

My Biggest Challenge as a Future Teacher

My class has recently watched the film Beyond the Blackboard and it has opened my eyes to a perspective on what kind of challenges teachers may face. See the prompt I am responding to here.

One challenge I think could definitely encounter is students having at-home issues. Students could have personal problems or issues at home that would affect their success in class and their ability to complete work at home. Examples of this could be a students' parents getting divorced or a family member dying. In these situations steps I might take could be: talking to the student personally and showing them they have someone to trust/ talk to, being understanding of their issues and not pushing too hard, and asking if there's anything I can do for them.

Another challenge I could have to deal with as a future teacher is with the parent involvement. Some parents might not be involved or active in their child's school life while some may be overly involved and confront me about everything I do. When student's have parents that don't care about school, that will probably cause the student not to care either, which may result in low grades and less participation. My job will be to keep the parents updated on how their child or the class is doing. Then, for the uninvolved parents, I can talk to them individually and encourage them to do even simple things like ask their kid how school is or check their grades every so often. If students are acting up in class I will encourage their parents to confront them, not just leave it up to me.

Early History of Education in America

We have been learning about the history of education in class, find the prompt for my blog entry here

B- I think some teachers during this time may have been motivated by the students they had come to know, and they didn't want to let them fail and never get the education they deserve. Teachers may have also thought about the view of what if it was their own child? They wouldn't want their own children to miss out on opportunities because of the complications of society. Women naturally have a motherly nature and I'm sure there were teachers who still cared too much about the students. Being a teacher in this time must've meant a lot of difficult decisions and tough times. I would try my best to react calmly and stay strong for others. As a teachers during this time I would have to think of the likeliness of getting a different job that would pay, but if there was little to no chance of having another job I would try my best to continue teaching.

The Water is Wide Reflection

Recently we viewed the video, The Water is Wide, in my Principles of Education and Training class, You will find my response to the blog prompt below.

1. Today teachers are not allowed to physically punish their students. It is also different in that students today are more advanced and further educated whereas students in the movie were illiterate.

2. Students are still expected to behave and listen to their teachers. Teachers are still given instruction by higher authorities, and have assignments they must give students, like how in the movie they were supposed to read the textbook.

6-a. The children were very limited in their previous knowledge and they sometimes misbehaved when Mr. Conroy tried to use teaching methods that were fun.

6-b. He had roadblocks with his coworker because she disagreed with his teaching method and wanted to strictly follow traditional methods rather than making the kids excited to learn.

The Leader in Me!

Leadership Observed
In the teaching profession, it is important that teachers are good leaders in order to be effective. One way teachers have to be good leaders is by setting an example they want their students to follow. My history teacher, Mr. Messman is always present and punctual, ready to start class on time, with the expectation of us to do the same. Another way they need to be leaders is in inspiring and motivating students. The teacher in popular movie School of Rock is inspiring to his students in teaching them the love for music and making them have a passion for it themselves, so even when he didn't have faith in them, they had faith in themselves. Lastly, teachers (like leaders) have to know when to be stern and put their put down. Although some people don't like the strict algebra class of my teacher Mr. Bowman, his firm behavior is the way we can work through everything we have to learn, and get our work done as we're supposed to.

My Leadership in Action
I am looking to improve my leadership skills by trying to be more outgoing to others, and take control or leadership over situations when necessary. As volleyball captain I am supposed to be a role model to my team mates, and set an example to them by working hard in practice and always staying positive! I am also section leader in choir, and it is helpful as I can get to know people in my section and help others around me, especially the freshman who have less experience in the things we do.