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Who Am I
I am Cayla the never-ending learner and because of that I will forever be a teacher. My learning journey began as soon as I was born, being the middle child of 5 children. I learned from my two older siblings and then in return taught my two younger siblings. Now that we're all adults we all share in teaching and learning from each other (we've actually been teaching and learning from each other our entire lives but we can appreciate it more now). Also, my children teach me what they need out of a mother and in return I learn to provide what they need and I also nurture them and teach them life skills. I knew from the moment I walked into Mrs. Bright's Kindergarten class that I wanted to be a teacher. I was held back in the 1st grade and even against all odds my aspirations did not change. Being held back actually made a huge impact on who I am today. My favorite aspects of learning is seeing the progression of individuals.
What I Know
Equity matters
Representation matters
Relationship matters
Identity and Self-awareness matters
Meeting students where they are matters
Being uncomfortable is a necessity for growth
Music is universal and can be used to unite and build relationships through different cultures
MOOD : How did You feel when You heard this song? Like you wanted to dance? Like this was a familiar song? The same thing Happens when children hear music. Music is a commonality that unites across cultures.
What I Have to Learn
Be conscious of my biases. I am a firm believer that even though I fall into multiple categories of an oppressed individual, I need to examine my place as an oppressor for the categories I am not in.
How to incorporate different learning styles into a lesson. My children taught me the need for this. All four of my children have different learning styles and figuring this out has been HAARDDD and I almost gave up but the need to figure it out is imperative to help them grow.
How to speak up, be myself, and give my truth and opinions in every environment. I am the most talkative introvert.
How to speak Spanish. Last semester (in Geography) I found out there were more Hispanics in the United States than Blacks. I have also seen the increasing number of Hispanics that do not fluently speak English being enrolled in school. I am making it my mission to learn Spanish by my first year of teaching to bridge the gap and to teach it to my students. Ehhh...my goal is to speak Spanish my first year of teaching but I haven't started learning yet so...
How to effectively allow parents be apart of the classroom setting. Self explanatory but we know parent's involvement promotes supplemental learning outside of the classroom.
How to be more technologically savvy.
Organization
The Teacher I will Become
Purpose of School
Purpose of School
The purpose of school is to equip students with life skills. In my opinion students should be taught (but not limited to) academics, identity, and self-awareness. Students should learn from their teacher and peers through experiences. Sometimes the learning environment can come from outside experiences like parents and people from the community.
photo: https://jenromanellobioethics.com/2018/02/13/what-is-identity/
Class Environment
Class Environment
My students will value each other's differences and celebrate them. They will value their role as a learner and teacher.
I will interact with my students openly, not as all knowing, but as a continued learner with the ability to teach because of experiences.
My students will interact with each other acceptingly.
One word to describe my students would be explorers.
photo: https://nobelexplorers.com/nobel-explorers-badges-guide/
Educational philosophies
Educational philosophies
My educational philosophies would be Progressivism and Social Reconstructivism
One word to describe me as a teacher would be liberator.
"They stopped thinking about saving Black people and started thinking about liberating Black people."
This quote was taken from How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and has shaped what I think a role of a teacher should be. Not just in the context of race but across the board of education.
photo: https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283
If a visitor walked into my classroom they would see organized chaos of a group of explorers at work to change the world with what the knowledge they possess.
Inspiration
Dr. H. Richard Milner came to my district's speaker series in early 2020 and changed my thoughts about teaching. He challenged what I thought was the responsibility of a teacher from classroom management to social justice issues.
"Students are developing beings and we should not treat them like prisoners." -Dr. H. Richard Milner
Talk To ME (comments)...Please Use Bullet Points
I absolutely love your page. I love how the colors look together. I also love how you included quotes. I also totally agree with your idea of school and what the purpose of it is. -Allison Lodge
It's true that we are all Life-long learners! Your PAGE is so organized and well-planned, a definite reflection of your passion in everything you do. keep it up!-evangeline tamayo
Thank-you for the comments you left on my page! I really love reading more about you and I like how all the colors match well together!! I really respect your passions!- Cameron Webster
I also have to monitor my biases especially since I will be teaching history and will have a lot to speak about on America. I have also heard that when teaching you should leave out biases, but there might be a way to incorporate your opinions to give the students different perspectives. Very nice page! -Noah Austin
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