Hello everyone! My name is Desiraye but everyone usually calls me Desi :) I am currently a sophomore here at ODU and i'm studying Elementary Education and I may minor in special education but I'm still thinking about it.
I am born and raised in Northern VA. Specifically, I grew up in Fairfax county. I've experienced homelessness before and consider myself lower middle class. I have 8 siblings in total, (two sisters 6 brothers) which puts me smack in the middle. I have an on campus job and I am in the Monarch Marching Band! I love to dye my hair, I had 3 colors in a year and I have six tattoos
When I'm not working, I love listening to all kinds of music (currently hooked on gogo music) . Ive been playing a musical instrument since I was 11 years old and I absolutely ADORE marine life. I also love learning how to cook and love to spend time with my mom. She is my everything.
As I said earlier, I have been playing an instrument for 8 years now. I have played three different kinds of clarinet (Bb, Bass and Contrabass) So I am very knowledgable when it comes to the scales, playing certain pieces and how to have a good embecoure (Mouth posture). I also know how to march and play since I have been doing that for 5 years now.
I also know how to maintain an aquarium! I currently have two fish. I have a Betta named Mushu and a Turquoise Guppy named Tantrum. I dont have any yet but I used to have cherry shrimp (left picture) and I had to learn how to properly acclimate a tank so they wouldnt die. I know how to test water, change and build filters and acclimate my little aquatic friends to their new home :3
I have a lot to learn, but I want to prioritize accommodations and teach students to practice empathy. I want to be the kind of teacher who understands what people need and makes adjustments so everyone can succeed. As for empathy, I want to teach students how to be kind and how to see things from someone else’s point of view and treat each other with respect. School cant be a safe space if your classroom isnt safe.
I really want to be the teacher students come back to after years and talk about what they have accomplished. I want to be the teacher that students tell their parents about when they come home from school each day. Having teachers like that always gave me a warm feeling inside and it would be a full circle moment if I became that person. Teachers are supposed to be another support system students have and to know a child has their trust in ME?? I could literally cry talking about this.
I believe that students go to school to learn and to find themselves, not just through academic content but through the choices they make, the questions they ask, and knowing they have the freedom to shape their own identity. I want the classroom to become a space where students are encouraged to question things and find new solutions to their issues.
This was the prompt I gave Gencraft: I would like you to create an image that represents existentialism in education. I want an image of a female black teacher talking to her students with a whiteboard in the background that says choice
Using AI helped me get a better understanding of each philosophy and ultimately decide which one I align myself with. Since I mostly align myself with the Existentialism philosophy, visitors would see a very vibrant classroom, not just colors but energy. It’ll definitely feel a little overwhelming or loud but it’s the chatter of kids that are actually engaged in meaningful conversation. My job is to give students the freedom to learn and hopefully find some sort of connection with the material in their own way. Although my generated image isnt as colorful and one of the students is missing a head... I do think it aligns with what I want to promote in the future
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Hi Desiraye! I loved your padlet and it is so cool to see how in tune you are with aquatic pets. I love the Existentialism philosophy choice and you are going to be a great future educator
-Kianna Meadows