Embedded Files
An Unexpected Journey: A Personal Goals Reflection
About five and a half years ago, I started my journey in the Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University. I had just finished my Master of Science in Kinesiology four months prior and had a three-month-old baby. At the time, I was working with students who were transitioning from high school to college and were considered high risk due to their background. My prospective employer encouraged me to complete an education degree as they felt it would make me more qualified for a full-time position. Although it was not initially planned, I followed their encouragement and pursued a degree in education.
My original goals when I started the program were to learn new strategies to help my students, gain a background in education, and to learn techniques for teaching my students. The position I was working in when I first started the program was not a traditional educational context. I was not technically a teacher and I did not have a classroom. I focused on introducing students to the college landscape and explaining the content of their college assignments at a more in-depth level. Since I did not have a background in education, I was hoping I would learn strategies that I could use to better teach my students. I was also hoping to build my educational background since I did not have as much experience in the field as I wanted. Many of my students did not like school. They had a hard time finding the motivation to go to their classes and complete their work. My goal to gain new strategies for my students was in hopes of helping them with their motivation.
Reflecting on my original goals made me realize how much has changed since the beginning of the program. My prospective employer is now my current employer. I do much of the same work I was doing just at a higher level and with more students. I feel I am leaving the program with a broad background in education. The experience of the program has given me a better understanding when working with students of all backgrounds. Due to my unique context, I did not get much in the way of techniques and strategies for my students since I am not the teacher of their courses.
My current goals are to finish the program, use what I have learned to advocate for the children in my life as they journey through school, and use the techniques learned throughout the program to change careers and work in a high school or community college context. I would like to work in a classroom setting and use the strategies and techniques I have learned to provide students with a safe, low-stress learning environment.
The decision to pursue a Master of Arts in Education degree was unexpected but I am grateful for the experience. The knowledge I have gained has opened my mind to new education career paths that I had never considered before.
Image Attribution:
Success-Reddit
Page updated
Report abuse