Expanding My Learning Post Grad
When I graduated with my undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, I knew that I wanted to continue learning and growing as a young professional. That drive and motivation to continue learning is what drove me to apply to the Michigan State Master of Arts in Education Program. I knew that I wanted to keep learning and expanding my knowledge of literature and teaching strategies. As I wrap up my time in the program, I recognize that the learning and growth do not stop here. I have identified three future learning goals that will help me deepen my knowledge of instructional strategies and literacy development.
Goal 1:Â Learn and Implement Project-Based Learning
As I moved through both my undergrad and graduate programs, project-based learning and the concept of relatable, real-life learning were proven to have big impacts on students and literacy education. Project Based Learning is a teaching method that allows students to learn and explore while working with real-world examples, helping to create meaningful projects. In order to do this successfully, I will need to research on the PBL website and create "big questions" for students to learn and explore as well as designing inquiry based lessons to go along with the reading curriculum and state standards. To get started, I will work with my academic coach on a solid plan on how to align these lessons with our curriculum. I feel that by doing this, students will be pushed and challenged with note taking skills, close reading, reading discussions, etc. I hope that in my time as an elementary teacher (and maybe even reading specialist) I can bring these skills and ideas to transform literacy education.
Goal 2: Gain Expertise in Literacy Specialist Role
A big goal of mine is to use my skills to become an elementary reading specialist. By taking literacy courses throughout the program, I have gained a lot of knowledge on how to teach reading and make it exciting for students. Although I feel prepared with a lot of strategies and techniques to teach children how to read, there is still a lot of work needed to prepare and get certified to take over this new role. In order to become a certified reading specialist, I will need to take the Reading Specialist MTTC Test. This test has a series of 100 multiple-choice questions that test the knowledge and understanding of different aspects of reading in the classroom. To help research and gain best practice experience, I can use the Michigan Reading Association to find resources to help me be successful in this. This will be something that I need to take time to study and prepare for. During this time, I would also hope to shadow and observe a current reading specialist to see what the day-to-day schedule would look like. I am still early on in my teaching career, so I am not looking to make this change soon, but I am open to keep growing, study, and prepare for when I decide to make that change.
Goal 3: Compete Letrs Training
Letrs Training is a science of reading training that allows teachers the opportunity for growth and reading training. It is about a 2-year program and covers reading foundational skills such as phonological awareness and the science of reading principles, and how to implement these skills in the classroom. To enroll and be successful, I just need to sign up on the Letrs website and treat it as if I am taking more courses and spend time taking notes and studying. Although it is a time commitment, I truly believe the benefits can be incredible and can help tremendously in the classroom. A lot of districts offer this program for free (or at a discounted rate), so I think enrolling can be a big first step to continue my successful reading practices. This training can be part of an ongoing professional development, and I believe that it can help me be successful in reaching my other goals as well. Again, this is not something that I plan to do quite yet, but I will hopefully get into it within the next 2-3 years as I continue on my career as a second-grade teacher.