Always Learning
Upon digging deeper into my Goal Reflection Essay, I believe that like students, teachers are perpetually learning as well. It is an imperative to model this lifelong learning for children. While it is important to stay relevant with content and pedagogy, it is crucial to show children that we too can continue to learn something new everyday. To continually grow and push myself as an educator. I have determined three goals to expand my teaching practice. 1) With a focus in literacy, I would like to take on using Units of Study in my literacy block. 2) I would like to incorporate technology practices and resources I have explored in my graduate courses. 3) I would like to pursue a PhD and continue in lifelong learning. I chose these specific goals because I believe they continue with my professional development while also applying what I have learned and developed through this graduate program. I am hopeful that these three goals will continue to push me to growing as an educator.
1) Units of Study
Starting this year, my district is pushing us to pilot the MAISA Units of Study. Looking over the units for the first time, I was very overwhelmed. While the units are full of great resources and learning, they have a lot of content to dig into. This year, my goal is to implement the units in my classroom. I feel that the units will provide my students with more reading comprehension strategies as well as a better understanding of the fifth grade standards. I also feel that the units will provide me with more resources and mentor texts to model the standards. The MAISA units allow for a lot of student selection in books. I love this about the units. When I think about my students as readers, I think about all of the things they bring to the table. My students bring different races, religions, socioeconomic status, gender, abilities, and more. Along with all of these differences, they also bring unique passions and interests. I need to remember all of these differences and passions when choosing the texts for the classroom library. I want the books in my classroom to be relatable to my students. It is important that I try to find texts that represent my students. I want literature to be something that students can use to escape but also feel valued.
2) Applying Technology Everyday
I think it is important to really analyze if my teaching practices are benefiting my students and that they are giving my students real world application. When using technology, I believe it is essential to think about whether that tool is actually going to be applicable for my students. Is the tool the main content or is the tool aiding my students’ knowledge of that content? Through this graduate program, I have taken several technology courses that aim to blend new technological resources into the everyday classroom. My goal is to use these practices as frequently as I can and give my students opportunities to bring new technology resources in the classroom. One way in which I have tried to use more technology in the classroom, is through a classroom Twitter page. This year, I hope to use my classroom Twitter page more frequently. I want students to have the opportunity to add to our page with work they are proud of. I also hope to use it as a tool for more resources. Another way I will implement more technology in the classroom is through Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a great way to keep all student work in one spot as well as give the teacher access. I aim to use Google Classroom more in my classroom and use it for all of my vocabulary quizzes. My goal is to use technology across different subjects to keep students engaged. Every Monday, I teach a small technology block to my students. We learn things such as how to use Google docs, Google slides, how to share documents, and explore many great sites. Students thoroughly enjoy the lessons and love to use technology in the classroom.
3) Pursuing a PhD
Correlating with my goal reflection, I would like to continually growing as an educator and learner. I am currently looking at Michigan State’s PhD programs but there are many things to still consider. As of right now, I would like to learn more about the hybrid option for I would like to continue to teach full-time while seeking a PhD. Looking far into the future, I would like to use a PhD to possibly work with beginning teachers.
1) Units of Study
Starting this year, my district is pushing us to pilot the MAISA Units of Study. Looking over the units for the first time, I was very overwhelmed. While the units are full of great resources and learning, they have a lot of content to dig into. This year, my goal is to implement the units in my classroom. I feel that the units will provide my students with more reading comprehension strategies as well as a better understanding of the fifth grade standards. I also feel that the units will provide me with more resources and mentor texts to model the standards. The MAISA units allow for a lot of student selection in books. I love this about the units. When I think about my students as readers, I think about all of the things they bring to the table. My students bring different races, religions, socioeconomic status, gender, abilities, and more. Along with all of these differences, they also bring unique passions and interests. I need to remember all of these differences and passions when choosing the texts for the classroom library. I want the books in my classroom to be relatable to my students. It is important that I try to find texts that represent my students. I want literature to be something that students can use to escape but also feel valued.
2) Applying Technology Everyday
I think it is important to really analyze if my teaching practices are benefiting my students and that they are giving my students real world application. When using technology, I believe it is essential to think about whether that tool is actually going to be applicable for my students. Is the tool the main content or is the tool aiding my students’ knowledge of that content? Through this graduate program, I have taken several technology courses that aim to blend new technological resources into the everyday classroom. My goal is to use these practices as frequently as I can and give my students opportunities to bring new technology resources in the classroom. One way in which I have tried to use more technology in the classroom, is through a classroom Twitter page. This year, I hope to use my classroom Twitter page more frequently. I want students to have the opportunity to add to our page with work they are proud of. I also hope to use it as a tool for more resources. Another way I will implement more technology in the classroom is through Google Classroom. Google Classroom is a great way to keep all student work in one spot as well as give the teacher access. I aim to use Google Classroom more in my classroom and use it for all of my vocabulary quizzes. My goal is to use technology across different subjects to keep students engaged. Every Monday, I teach a small technology block to my students. We learn things such as how to use Google docs, Google slides, how to share documents, and explore many great sites. Students thoroughly enjoy the lessons and love to use technology in the classroom.
3) Pursuing a PhD
Correlating with my goal reflection, I would like to continually growing as an educator and learner. I am currently looking at Michigan State’s PhD programs but there are many things to still consider. As of right now, I would like to learn more about the hybrid option for I would like to continue to teach full-time while seeking a PhD. Looking far into the future, I would like to use a PhD to possibly work with beginning teachers.