Learning In Progress
Learning In Progress
I was 27 years old the first time I stepped into my very own classroom. That’s not true actually. Let me try that again. I was 27 years old the first time I wheeled my cart into SOMEONE ELSE’S classroom. Being a traveling teacher my first year as an educator was exciting but it also presented a hefty set of daily problems. It was impractical to transport 30 + heavy textbooks, I couldn’t prepare my space the day or even the hour before my class. I had no place to meet with students. Traveling to four separate classrooms every day was mentally exhausting but it pushed me to get creative with my space and solutions. In my first year, I focused on bettering myself and the curriculum. This is a mentality that has stuck with me throughout my time as an educator. Always seek to improve, always seek to grow.
With this idea of self-improvement, I want to focus on my students and how I can promote their learning. While I have a number of goals that I would like to accomplish, there are three that persist in my mind. I hope to expand the existing DHS (Dow High School) Book Club, create and grow a new IB (International Baccalaureate) Film Study course, and dedicate my time and energy into learning more about educational approaches and technology. It is my thought that by accomplishing these goals will allow me to reach more students and make a positive impact on the way they view education.
Five years ago, I worked with a group of students to establish the Dow High Book Club. This after school club meets monthly to discuss and promote books and book related activities. Membership has remained steady but small. My overall goal as the club advisor is to cultivate an appreciation for literature beyond the traditional classroom setting. In the future, I would like to grow the club in membership as well as impact.
Here are some of the ways I plan to accomplish this goal:
Organize events like Battle of the Books, holiday book exchange, book drives, and book swaps
Participate in book-related charity events through the local library and elementary schools
Recruit students and even teachers to join and participate in the fun
Utilize technology to help grow and support the club
H. H. Dow High School is an International Bachelorette school, also known as an IB school, and I have fallen for its approach to education. I am currently teaching one section of 11th grade English Language Arts (ELA), also known as IB Language and Literature. I am expected to take on more IB courses in the future. At this point, there are a number of courses considered part of the IB program. As my school continues to grow, I’d love to see more opportunities and courses available to students. It is my goal to curate and grow a new course, IB Film Study, and infuse it with recent and relevant technology in the next two years. To accomplish this goal, I will need research and create a major change proposal and eventually submit it to my district’s board of education.
Here are some of the ways I plan to accomplish this goal:
Explore technology and equipment needed for the course
Research curriculum options
Research textbook options
Create a thoughtful syllabus
Attend additional training
As a personal and career minded goal, I plan to continue to learn and challenge myself through formal and informal educational opportunities that help me to utilize educational approaches and technology. This is important to me because not only does it expand my knowledge base making me a better person and teacher, it also models lifelong learning for my students. When students hear you say it, that’s one thing. When they see you doing what you are asking of them, it’s a whole new level. If my experience in the Masters of Arts in Education (MAED) program through Michigan State University (MSU)
Here are some of the ways I plan to accomplish this goal:
Continue formal education through university and
Discover and read books about technology approaches in education
Experiment with different technologies
Join the DHS Staff Book Club
Attend optional training opportunities both in person and online