Every day, I remind my students that they have the power to make their own decisions and are responsible for their choices. When they misbehave, I often tell them, "You chose not to listen and instead fool around with your friend." I typically make this statement during disciplinary situations, but I have recently started emphasizing it at times when they struggle with their learning. Or when they feel frustrated that things are not going as they would like. 

My fifth graders took their first end-of-unit math assessment recently, and many became angry and confused. Some students could not answer the questions because they had not taken responsibility for their learning and chose not to listen during lessons. Meanwhile, other students who had actively engaged with the content for the past few weeks tried to demonstrate the knowledge they had gained to the best of their ability. However, it was still a test created by who knows who, maybe a teacher, but most likely someone who has never been in the classroom, so it was lengthy and presented in a way that was confusing and just too complicated for my fifth graders. I did my best to teach what I could, and the kids who chose to listen may have done better than those who had yet to make the right choices, but there were still underlying problems. 

I have begun to tell myself the very thing I say to my students, "You made this choice, no one else; maybe you need to make another choice." Another choice that will help all my students may be outside of that Teacher's Edition. Is there something else that will help them learn and grow? That is the real question, that it is a choice, and is something I have begun to see more clearly now. There is so much more than just following the curriculum and completing the lessons, and things will only change once I step in the direction that things need to go. Continuing my learning was the first step, and when I decided to begin my master's at Michigan State University, I began to see the choices I needed to make. If the educational system and the idea of teaching and learning were going to change, then I had to be the one to make that choice and change it. 

Every day as a teacher, I hold the power to bring about positive change and shape the young minds of the future. The job of an educator is so much more than going to work and getting a paycheck; the true purpose of this career is all about making a difference. Before I enrolled in Michigan State University's Masters of Arts and Technology (MAET) program, I knew the importance of my career. I became a teacher to help kids and make a difference. However, since entering this program, I have learned that teaching is much more than I thought I knew. That making a difference today is more than just teaching kids to be successful in math and reading and that my job as an educator should reach beyond the classroom and into the heart of society.

I began my MAET journey in the summer of 2022 in Galway, Ireland. I participated in the Overseas Cohort, hoping that these courses would broaden my knowledge about technology in the classroom and increase student engagement. In those 4-weeks abroad, I took nine credits of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Special Education courses (CEP 810, 811, and 812) titled Mindsets of Innovation, which allowed me to begin to honestly examine my teaching and broaden the idea of how I could make a real difference in my student's lives. It started with a focus on one's mindset and led to my learning how to integrate essential strategies to encourage and engage my students beyond the classroom. I discovered that first summer that I wanted to change things. I needed to make choices in my lessons that would allow my students to be able to learn in a more hands-on way. The idea that I could integrate more project-based learning was something I discovered while in Ireland, and it would allow my students to go beyond the average learning experience.

During that summer, I gained a deeper understanding that technology integration in the classroom goes beyond just websites and games on the internet. I learned that incorporating technology materials in lessons increases student engagement and helps to change their mindset and prepare them for a bright future. It is about changing students' perspectives about the world around them. Working with my peers on one assignment, a Special Interest Group research project, allowed me to contemplate the necessary changes and choices to facilitate the appropriate learning and representation needed in today's classroom. We change certain narratives by giving a platform to allow for diverse and essential voices.  

Research shows that diversity in class benefits learning and a child's sense of belonging (Rucinski). Teaching needs to reflect the world around us, and using digital content could be the first step toward positive change. Incorporating diversity in what students see through videos and intentional images allows one to celebrate diversity and give people a voice (Argwal). It creates a reflection of the students seen in our schools today. Offering a diverse perspective and asking the right questions can lead to Warren Berger's ideas in A More Beautiful Question. 

As the weeks went by, I began to understand that creativity is a crucial element needed in the classroom, especially for teachers who aim to be effective in today's world. Understanding this importance within education can lead to long-lasting success for students. Therefore, I began to think about the choices I needed to make to implement more creative teaching methods in my classroom to initiate a change that could improve learning. 

During the subsequent segment of my second summer abroad, the emphasis shifted to the exploration and investigation of learning theories in the Theories and Research section. The idea of learning is complex and so much more than going to school, getting a grade, and then getting a job. It is not a single path we take in life but more like a continuous circle. Learning is something we do for our entire lives. We keep learning from life experiences and changing with each new moment, when and wherever we are. It is important that educators see the need for change, and that the decisions made within the classroom allow for the success of all learners. Learning and making change is a journey. To begin, one must understand how people learn, and the ever-changing dynamics of learners today. In my Theories of Learning course, we discussed the frustrations within the educational system and the need for change. We also explored the steps being taken to initiate that change.

If we involve learners in their education and give them the choice to express their true selves in creativity, they will begin that change that is needed in this world. The step I need to take to make that change is to engage my learners in those ideas. To show them the power of their voice, and to enable them to have a say in their learning. Creating a classroom that moves away from the ‘Pedagogy of Compliance’ as they stated in Street Data, as the lecture-style instruction where the teacher controls the power of knowledge and something that is rooted deeply in white supremacy (Safir & Dugan, 2021, p. 107), which is dangerous and stifling to this current generation. 

Embarking on the journey to forge a shared vision of learning has provided me with valuable insights over the past two years. In our ever-evolving world, the key to enacting necessary change lies in continually expanding my understanding of children's needs. These MAET courses have not only equipped me with effective technology integration skills but have also underscored the significance of proactive measures. It has empowered me to recognize the choices I make as an educator and how pivotal they are for my students' future. Armed with this knowledge, I can now take intentional steps that I hope may be a foundation for an effective and meaningful learning experience. I am committed to fostering creativity, amplifying student voices, and ensuring choices that prioritize the best interests of my students.