Embedded Files
1/20/21
EDGR602 Start of Term Activity & Reflection
Throughout my first few years of teaching, I have been in awe of some of those around me. Every year, there has been an overwhelming amount of support and that this job has so much more to gain than what you see on the surface.
From student teaching, my mentor teacher set the stage for me to remind myself kindness, open-mindedness, and connection are key to engaging our students. Being right out of college, I had my own biases and expectations but this specific individual set a strong foundation of understanding.
My first job has allowed me to work with teachers with a range of different experiences and job titles. I have learned what it means to work hard, to constantly question, and to always look for new opportunities. My first-year mentor at Milton encouraged me to always think outside the box when it comes to engaging my students, as well as always meeting my students where they are at in their days. I have learned that this specific connection and understanding of my students has allowed me to foster relationships from day one.
My second year of teaching comprised of a new group to work with. Within this group, I have met teachers who allowed me to foster a leadership role and develop my voice as an educator. I have colleagues who have allowed me to explore different perspectives and brought collaboration and excitement to our team. It also showed me the importance of being able to work on a fairly large team, keeping our goals in sync, as well as finding my voice and opinions in big group settings.
My third year I have worked more closely with our guidance counselors and learning more about how to help social-emotional needs. I have learned patience and inquiry from these counselors that have allowed me to reassess my approaches in my classroom and how to always keep my students social-emotional needs at the forefront of my planning.
With these teachers, I have learned what it means to be a teacher. It is more than a role of standing in front of a room and delivering information. It is being a caretaker, a counselor, a leader, role model, hard worker, and diverse thinker. With my Action Research, I chose to focus on trauma-informed classrooms and best practices in hopes to include and continue to learn how to help my students, and colleagues, social-emotional needs.
12/28/20
As a cohort, we met via Zoom to discuss our past experiences in classes and explored our ideas for action research. Having a collaborative cohort has allowed me to reflect more intentionally, enjoy learning new ideas and techniques, and to collaborate on a K-12 grade span.
10/8/20
I didn't appreciate my education until I went to college. In high school, it was so competitive that I didn't feel good enough to keep up with the rest. But looking at myself now, going into my third year of teaching after attending a college that built up my confidence, I know that it was those hard years that helped me become who I wanted to be as a teacher.
I am extremely excited for what is to come the next year/year and a half with this program. So far, I feel fortunate enough that I am able to take on this higher level of education and grateful for the cohort I have. It has been nothing short of collaboration, hard work, and laughter. I started my Administration Pathway as well this year. Some called me crazy for starting a new program while currently enrolled in another, but I have to say, I do not regret it. In a single course, I have been able to overlap and connect ideas from both programs and it has opened my eyes up to a whole new level of learning and observations. It does seem overwhelming at times, but the work I get to do is so applicable to my everyday routine, it doesn't feel like extra work.
I am very interested in learning more about trauma in youth and becoming more of a trauma-informed classroom. I took a course my first year of teaching that focused on this topic and I have been eager to improve my practice so that I am creating a space for students to feel safe and wanted. Hearing about the research to come and the workload seems like it will be a long road, however, I am confident that with my cohort and guidance, I will achieve and learn even more!
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