Overview of Goals
Initial Goal For Grad School:
My initial goal for college was to graduate in three years and get my master's degree. I was able to accomplish that goal when I graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Advertising Management in 2021. I enrolled in the Education master's program to also focus on sport coaching and leadership. I chose this area of focus because I believe I would make a good teacher due to my ability to connect with students. I think I have a lot to offer when it comes to those with disabilities such as ADHD or ADD, given that I was diagnosed with both as a young child. The reason I decided to get my master's degree in Education is that I wanted to use it as a fallback. I figured the degree would only help me gain information, and with the job market as it is these days, I wouldn't necessarily have to stress about the many teaching vacancies we are hearing about.
Goal Progress:
I am currently scheduled to graduate this upcoming spring with a masters degree in Education and have gained a lot of information about teachers' roles. I have had many discussions with other teachers about their jobs, and the main takeaway I've learned is that if you truly love your job, you'll make a good teacher. Most of my work revolves around students with disabilities gaining study skill habits, as well as delving into my struggles with motivation and how I combatted my ADHD to be able to focus and use strategies that helped me get to the point I am at today. The MAET program has taught me how to motivate not only myself but future students. One of the most influential classes I took was CEP 802 Developing Positive Attitudes Towards Learning with Professor Wong in which we discussed positive attitudes and ways to stay motivated.
What’s changed:
My idea of teaching has changed many times throughout my master's degree program. I have had the thoughts that teaching is something I would be good at and I have also had the thoughts that it is too challenging for me. Things I've struggled with so far include the ability to incorporate technology into my work and the ability to adapt to the new generations. Before this course I struggled with technology and have had difficulties making websites and producing content in web forms. The majority of my struggles have been produced due to the fact that I have no background in the Education Department, and most of everything I have learned so far has been for the first time. This has generated many struggles for myself when it comes to thinking about a plan for teaching as well as how to navigate different methods of teaching and learning. The MAET program has helped me learn valuable information and skills of teaching that I will take with me in any career path that I choose. Despite this, I often feel I am steps behind with my lack of prior knowledge in the education world. I felt that I gained the most knowledge from CEP 818 Creativity in Teaching and Learning. That course in particular taught me different ways ‘how to”; from how to learn to how to perceive things in the classroom. That course really opened my eyes to what it would be like to work in education.